Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs
Length 15cm

One of the commonest and most widespread birds in Britain and Ireland, favouring a wide variety of habitats including gardens, parks and woodland; in winter, numbers of residents boosted by influx of N European birds. Colourful male (A) has reddish pink face and underparts, blue crown and chestnut back; female (B) is more uniformly buffish brown but, like male, has prominent white shoulder patch and white wingbar. Song comprises a descending trill with a characteristic final flourish. Call a distinct pink pink. Feeds mainly on insects during summer months but seeds taken in winter when often gather into sizeable flocks.