The tragedy of the Chaffinch is that it is so common. Were it a rarity, we would probably get ecstatic about the male's pink face
and underparts contrasting with its grey crown and brown back.
It also has a conspicuous white patch on its shoulder, a white wing-bar and white round the edges of its tail feathers.


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The female builds the nest, and if lucky, having 4 to 5 eggs twice each summer.
After about 2 weeks the chickens come out, and are feeded by both parents.
Two weeks later, they are able to leave the nest by themselves.


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During the winter, Chaffinches can form large flocks all of one sex.
This is the origin of the species scientific name coelebs from the Latin word for bachelor.


© Arthur Grosset
  The males are particularly brightly coloured in the spring
by which time the brownish feather fringes on their fresh autumn plumage have worn off.


© Arthur Grosset
The females and juveniles are much duller greyish-brown but still show the white wing and tail markings.