Chaffinch

The genus Fringilla is a small group of finches from the Old World, which are the only species in the subfamily Fringillinae. The three species are:


 * Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
 * Blue Chaffinch Fringilla teydea
 * Brambling Fringilla montifringilla

The Chaffinch is found primarily in forest habitats, in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia; the Blue Chaffinch is an island endemic; and the Brambling is breeds in the northern taiga and southern tundra of Eurasia.

They are about the same size, 15 cm, and are similar in shape. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings. They are not as specialised as the other finches, eating both insects and seeds. While breeding, they feed their young on insects rather than seeds, unlike the other finches.