Chaffinch  (Fringilla coelebs)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

Widespread throughout Britain; absent only from high ground such as the Scottish Highlands (5). During winter, birds from northern Europe migrate to Britain. It is typically the females that migrate, and Linnaeus named the species coelebs, meaning ‘the bachelor’ because it was the male birds that remained in his native Sweden for the winter (5).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

Breeds in woodland, gardens and parks (2).

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