Eurasian chaffinch

Fringilla coelebs

About

The Eurasian chaffinch is one of the most numerous birds in Ukraine and probably the loudest singer of the spring Carpathian forest. It nests throughout the country, in deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests, in parks and gardens. Most birds migrate for the winter, but in the south and in Transcarpathia, Eurasian chaffinches regularly winter, and solitary birds or flocks can be found in other places during winter.

The bird is about the size of a sparrow: approximately 14 cm long, with a wingspan of 24–28 cm and a weight of 18–29 g. In spring, the male is particularly beautiful: the head and nape are bluish, the chest and cheeks are pinkish-red, and there are two white stripes on the wings. The female is more modest, olive-gray, but also has white stripes on the wings.

The song of the Eurasian chaffinch is the easiest to recognize. It is a ringing trill consisting of three parts — an introduction, the trill itself, and a short sharp 'stroke' at the end. The song lasts 2–3 seconds, and after a pause of 7–10 seconds, it sounds again. Only males sing, and one bird can have from one to six, occasionally up to ten, variations of the song. Young males learn to sing by imitating older ones, so in different areas, Eurasian chaffinches have their own song 'dialects'. The Eurasian chaffinch tolerates cold better than many other migratory birds.

Once, Eurasian chaffinches were mass-caught and kept in cages due to their ringing song. Currently, the Eurasian chaffinch is not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine; it is best to listen to it right on the trail.

Where in the Carpathians

fewermore31 736 records in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries: Slovakia · Czechia · Poland · Romania · Hungary · Ukraine · Serbia · Austria · BG
Mountain ranges: Börzsöny and Cserhát, Moravian-Silesian Beskids, Volovec Mountains, Western Tatras, High Tatras, Skole Beskids, Bucegi Mountains, Bükk, Low Tatras, Silesian Beskids
Altitude belts: Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m)

When to see it

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Sightings

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Protection and rules

Not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of Ukraine

FAQ

What does the song of the Eurasian chaffinch sound like?

It is a ringing trill lasting 2–3 seconds, ending with a short sharp 'stroke'. After a pause of 7–10 seconds, the male repeats the song.

Do Eurasian chaffinches winter in the Carpathians?

Most migrate, but in Transcarpathia, Eurasian chaffinches regularly winter.

Similar species

In season nowEurasian bullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaA sturdy bird with a red breast and a black cap. It nests in the Carpathian forests and decorates gardens in winter.

European robinErithacus rubeculaA small bird with an orange breast that sings at dusk. It nests on the ground in forests and shrubs.

Coal titPeriparus aterThe smallest tit of our forests: a black cap with a white spot on the nape. A resident of spruce and fir forests.

Where to meet it

Trails and peaks near which naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, iNaturalist), matched by altitude and habitat. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Sources

GBIF · iNaturalist · Wikidata · Distribution data: GBIF.org (CC0 and CC BY records), iNaturalist; names and identifiers: Wikidata (CC0). Text: Karpaty.rocks, checked 09.11.2026.