Chaffinch Behaviour - Can you help? (1 Viewer)

[lizij]

For the past 2 days we have a male chaffinch in the garden looking very handsome but constantly repeating his call-note and only intermittently performing his full song. He doesn't seem to be stopping to eat at all. We wondered whether he's just a young bird establishing his territory or perhaps a breeding male trying to entice a new mate (wouldn't he use his song to do that?).

Do you know what he's up to?

Boy that call-note is ear-piercing!! He's been going non-stop since 05:30!

 

[Peewit]

For the past 2 days we have a male chaffinch in the garden looking very handsome but constantly repeating his call-note and only intermittently performing his full song. He doesn't seem to be stopping to eat at all. We wondered whether he's just a young bird establishing his territory or perhaps a breeding male trying to entice a new mate (wouldn't he use his song to do that?).

Do you know what he's up to?

Boy that call-note is ear-piercing!! He's been going non-stop since 05:30!

Hi Liz

Welcome to the Bird Forum!!!!

Yes, that is what male Chaffinches do and yes, they are very repetitive as you have noticed. o

They are very determined to state their claim to their patch, as most breeding bird are!

 

[lizij]

Chaffinch behaviour - thanks!!

Thanks for the answer! I've just been surprised by his sheer persistence and the power of his voice!

I'm new to birds and birding and having great fun discovering what's in and around my garden so its great to find a site like this

 

[Bird-Nut]

Thanks for the answer! I've just been surprised by his sheer persistence and the power of his voice!

I'm new to birds and birding and having great fun discovering what's in and around my garden so its great to find a site like this

Hi Lizij,

You might find this web page from the RSPB might be useful too in helping you with identifying birds http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/chaffinch/index.asp

I hope that helps. :t:

 

[lilypotter]

Hi Lizij, Kathy and Bird Nut gave you good information about Chaffinches. I would like to tell you few interesting things about that bird.
It uses a range of habitats, but open woodland is favoured, although it is common in gardens and on farmland. It builds its nest in a tree fork, and decorates the exterior with moss or lichen to make it less conspicuous. It lays about six eggs.

This bird is not migratory in the milder parts of its range, but vacates the colder regions in winter. The coelebs part of its name means "bachelor". This species was named by Linnaeus; in his home country of Sweden, where the females depart in winter, but the males often remain. This species forms loose flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixed with Bramblings. This bird occasionally strays to eastern North America, although some sightings may be escapees.

The food of the Chaffinch is seeds, but unlike most finches, the young are fed extensively on insects.

The powerful song is very well known, and its fink or vink sounding call gives the finch family its English name. Males typically sing two or three different song types, and there are regional dialects too.

Hope this helps you.