Birds
Common Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs · Cinteză
One of the commonest woodland finches, with a cheerful descending song.
At a glance
- Status in Romania
- Migratory
- Habitat
- Forest / Urban
- Activity
- Morning · Daytime
- Diet
- The most varied diet of the finches: mainly small invertebrates and their larvae, plus seeds and buds. Chicks are fed larvae.
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Photography difficulty
- Easy to observe
Photography Guide
Practical starting points based on the species’ behaviour and habitat, not fixed rules.
- Where and how to look
- Woods and parks; singing males from early spring.
- Best time / activity
- Morning · Daytime
- Photography difficulty
- Easy to observe
- Ethics
- Keep away from nests, do not use playback in the breeding season, and let the bird decide how close it comes.
Identification
The male has a blue-grey crown, pinkish face and breast; both sexes show bold white wing bars.
Habitat
Any kind of woodland, parks with mature trees, tree lines and riverside woods.
Approximate range in Romania
Diet
The most varied diet of the finches: mainly small invertebrates and their larvae, plus seeds and buds. Chicks are fed larvae.
Behaviour
Forms single-sex flocks in winter.
Seasonality in Romania
Breeds in Romania and is partly migratory. Females and immatures migrate earlier and further; more males stay over winter. Winters in southern Europe.
Monthly presence has not yet been source-verified.
Breeding
Breeding begins in April with eggs from May; usually 4–5 eggs incubated by the female.