Chaffinchs in Finland
When the Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) is present in Finland, when it nests, and which native Finland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Finland
- Summer visitor
- Nesting season
- May–June
- Size
- 14.5 cm, 24 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect chaffinchs in Finland
The Chaffinch arrives in Finland in spring to breed and leaves again in autumn. Brief, bright summers; nesting is compressed into May–July.
Boreal continental, forested and lake-strewn.
Nesting in Finland
In Finland the Chaffinch usually nests May–June. Nest site: neat lichen-covered cup in a tree fork. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days; chicks fledge after 12–15 days, and pairs raise 1–2 per year.
- The Chaffinch does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Finland plants for chaffinchs
Of the native plants we track for Finland, these 3 provide food the Chaffinch uses:
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.
Hazelnuts for Nuthatches, Jays and Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Feeding in the garden
Seeds; caterpillars for chicks.
- Best foods: Sunflower hearts, Seed mix.
- Feeders: Ground tray, Open table.
- Chaffinches prefer to feed on the ground below hanging feeders.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are chaffinchs in Finland all year?
No. The Chaffinch is a summer visitor to Finland, arriving to breed and leaving in autumn.
When do chaffinchs nest in Finland?
Typically May–June. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days, with 1–2 per year.
Which native plants help chaffinchs in Finland?
Silver birch, Alder, Hazel are native to Finland and provide food or cover the Chaffinch uses.
Chaffinchs in other countries
Other garden birds in Finland
Sources
- Chaffinch — RSPB bird guide
- Chaffinch — BTO BirdFacts
- Finnish Bird Atlas — Finnish Museum of Natural History
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.