Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)

The Chaffinch is the most abundant finch in the UK. With its striking pinkish-red breast and cheeks, grey-blue crown and nape and characteristic white wing bars, the chaffinch is arguably our most 'underrated' bird. Watch carefully and you'll notice that throughout summer the plumage is brighter than in winter.

Altogether, there are around 6,200,000 breeding pairs.

Chaffinch nests are cup shaped, built primarily from moss, grass and feathers, and lined with feathers and wool. These nests can often be spotted in forks of branches or buried within shrubs.

During the breeding season, chaffinches produce eggs that are very smooth, round and light blue with small brown speckles. Breeding typically begins in April, the incubation period lasts around 15 days and there are roughly 11 - 18 fledge days.