Chaffinchs in Norway
When the Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) is present in Norway, when it nests, and which native Norway plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Norway
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- May–June
- Size
- 14.5 cm, 24 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect chaffinchs in Norway
The Chaffinch lives in Norway all year round. Coastal winters are milder than latitude suggests; inland winters are severe.
Mild maritime on the Gulf Stream coast, cold continental inland and Arctic in the north.
Nesting in Norway
In Norway 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 Norway plants for chaffinchs
Of the native plants we track for Norway, these 4 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.
Supports more insect life than any other European tree; acorns for Jays.
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 Norway all year?
Yes — the Chaffinch is resident in Norway all year.
When do chaffinchs nest in Norway?
Typically May–June. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days, with 1–2 per year.
Which native plants help chaffinchs in Norway?
Silver birch, Alder, Pedunculate oak, Hazel are native to Norway and provide food or cover the Chaffinch uses.
Chaffinchs in other countries
Other garden birds in Norway
Sources
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.