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ForestSmall · 23 g
ID tip
The African chaffinch is a medium to large finch that is typically 13.8–18.5 cm (5.4–7.3 in) in length and weighs 21–24 g (0.74–0.85 oz). Males and females have different characteristics. The adult male has a blue-grey head with a small patch of black above the bill on the forehead, and a moss-green mantle (the mantle very distinct from the reddish-brown of Eurasian chaffinch, and also lacking the reddish cheeks of that species); its wings are black with two bold white stripes and white edges to the tertials and secondaries; the tail is blue-grey with white sides.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the African Chaffinch
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 10 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is March, the month with the most records.
Where to see the African Chaffinch
The map shades 4 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Gibraltar.
About the African Chaffinch
The African chaffinch is a species of passerine bird in the genus Fringilla. The African chaffinch is found from southern Morocco to northwestern Libya, and in Italy on the islands of Lampedusa and Pantelleria, off the Tunisian coast in the Strait of Sicily region; there is also an isolated population in northeastern Libya. It was formerly considered as two African subspecies of the Common chaffinch. Its habitat includes deciduous forests and lowlands, and during the nonbreeding season extends its habitat to open areas including weedy fields and olive groves.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Canary Islands ChaffinchFringilla canariensisThe Canary Islands chaffinch is similar in size to the Eurasian chaffinch at around 15–16 cm long, but differs markedly in plumage of the male, with a dark blue-grey mantle, and lighter pink face and breast, and whiter belly and undertail.
Madeira ChaffinchFringilla maderensisThe male is more brightly coloured than the female.
Tenerife Blue ChaffinchFringilla teydeaTenerife blue chaffinches resemble common chaffinches, but they are noticeably larger, and have a thicker bill.
Side by side: African Chaffinch vs Eurasian Chaffinch · African Chaffinch vs Brambling · African Chaffinch vs Azores Chaffinch · African Chaffinch vs Canary Islands Chaffinch
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