

Primary School Science Conservation 2020 Award
Date posted: 18-Dec-2020
Dylan Lewis Y7 from Mahurangi College, Warkworth, being presented with the ..
Supporters of Tiritiri Inc and Fullers 360 Science Conservation 2020 Award
Date posted: 18-Dec-2020
The NIWA Auckland City Science and Technology Fair winner of the Supporters of Tiritiri ..
2020 Conservation Week
Date posted: 12-Aug-2020
Meet the Takahē on Tiritiri Matangi Island
When: 1:30 pm, ..
AGM 2020
Date posted: 25-Jul-2020
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE TO WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 due to Covid restrictions at t..
Ferry Resuming July 4th!
Date posted: 01-Jun-2020
Great News!!!
We have confirmation Fuller360 ferry service to Tiritiri Matangi wi..
The 2020 Photo Competition Winners
Date posted: 22-May-2020
Here are the winning and commended photos from this year's competition. Congratulations to the photo..
Celebrate the Takahe Art Competition
Date posted: 08-Apr-2020
Hi Tiri Kids,
It’s TakahÄ“ Awareness Month!
Everyone loves our takah..
COVID-19 Important Information
Date posted: 25-Mar-2020
The government has announced that New Zealand is now at alert level 2 for COVID-19. Th..
2019 Winner Primary School Supporters of Tiritiri and Fullers 360 Science Award is Ethan Raymond
Date posted: 11-Mar-2020
Ethan has helped the Enviro-Warriors in many ways such as planning, gard..
2019 Winner Y8-Y13 NIWA Supporters of Tiritiri and Fullers 360 Science Award is Abby Haezelwood
Date posted: 11-Mar-2020
Abby Haezelwood with her winning Science Exhibit on Plastic Beaches at the NIWA Taihoro Nuk..
Chaffinch
Scientific name: |
Fringilla coelebs |
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Conservation status: | Introduced and naturalised |
Mainland status: |
Widespread and abundant |
Size: | 15cm, 22g (male) 21g (female) |
Lifespan: |
9+ years |
Breeding: |
September – February |
Diet: |
Seeds, invertebrates and fruit |

An attractive finch with conspicuous white shoulder, wingbar and outer tail feathers. The adult male has a black forehead, blue-grey crown and nape, a rich pinkish-brown face and underparts fading to white on the belly and a reddish brown back and olive rump. The female is soft brownish grey, with a greenish rump and prominent white wingbars on a darker wing. The common call note is a metallic 'chink' and the male’s song is a bright 'chip, chip, chip tell, tell, tell cherry-erry-erry tissi cheweeo'. The song varies in different regions.
Chaffinch feed mainly on the ground and eat a mix of seeds (cereals and brassicas, weeds and pine), invertebrates such as spiders, caterpillars, moths, flies and aphids, and small fruits of native trees and shrubs.
Breeding is between September and late January. A neat well camouflaged nest of grasses and lichens lined with hair, feathers and wool is built in a tree fork. A clutch of 3–6 greyish blue eggs with purplish blotches is incubated by the female for 11–15 days. The eggs hatch over 1–3 days and are brooded by the female. After the fledgling period of 10–16 days they continue to be fed by both parents for about three weeks.
Find out more about the chaffinch at New Zealand Birds Online.
Photography (male chaffinch) by: Dr Kerry Rodgers ©
References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking. Moon, G The Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Birds.