Mobile bird identification
Adult Male
Note the striking white wing bars, (especially visible in flight), the blue-grey head and the pink underside. You can also just see the white outer tail feathers of the black tail.
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs
Thanks to: www.flickr.com/people/foxypar4/ (Modified)
Thanks to:http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Nilfanion (Modified)
Other Finches
•
Whitish streaked underside
•
Black cap, bill and nape
Adult Female
Blue-grey head
Brown back
White wing bars
Pinkish underside
Black tail with white outer feathers
This image shows the much duller plumage of the female, however the white wing bars and white outer tail feathers are still present in the female.
Brambling or Chaffinch?
Chaffinch (left), Brambling (right):
Brambling frequently flock with the more common Chaffinch in winter, the Brambling can be identified by it's distinctive white rump with dark head and back in flight.
Distribution:
One of Europes most common breeding birds, a summer visitor to Northern Europe and resident elsewhere. UK numbers are increased by wintering birds.
Habitat:
A bird of farmland, hedges and woods, often seen in large flocks feeding around farms in winter.
Notes:
The male and female birds are different, the female being much duller but still showing her distinctive wing and tail pattern when in flight. The birds ability to take advantage of almost any available food source and habitat makes the Chaffinch one of the most widespread breeding birds in the UK. The Chaffinch is closely related to the less common Brambling and in winter they often flock together, feeding mostly on seeds and grain, often around agricultural buildings.
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringilladae
Genus: Fringilla
Species: F. coelebs