Chaffinch | Hainault Forest

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebs

TQ4792 24/04/2025 ©Raymond Small

Chaffinches are found in woods, scrub and hedgerows. A white shoulder-patch is useful when identifying this species. Males have deeper colouration than females and the sexes can easily be told apart. They feed on insects and seeds. Chaffinches gained their name because they visit crops at harvest time to search for food. The husks of corn or other seeds separated by threshing is known as 'Chaff'.