Chaffinchs in Switzerland
When the Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) is present in Switzerland, when it nests, and which native Switzerland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Switzerland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–June
- Size
- 14.5 cm, 24 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect chaffinchs in Switzerland
The Chaffinch lives in Switzerland all year round. Snowy winters in the mountains; milder on the Swiss plateau and around the lakes.
Temperate-continental in the plateau, Alpine in the mountains.
Nesting in Switzerland
In Switzerland the Chaffinch usually nests April–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 Switzerland plants for chaffinchs
Of the native plants we track for Switzerland, these 6 provide food the Chaffinch uses:
Goldfinches extract the seeds from standing heads in autumn and winter.
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.
Beechmast feeds Bramblings, Chaffinches and Nuthatches.
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 Switzerland all year?
Yes — the Chaffinch is resident in Switzerland all year.
When do chaffinchs nest in Switzerland?
Typically April–June. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days, with 1–2 per year.
Which native plants help chaffinchs in Switzerland?
Teasel, Silver birch, Alder, Pedunculate oak, Beech, Hazel are native to Switzerland and provide food or cover the Chaffinch uses.
Chaffinchs in other countries
Other garden birds in Switzerland
Sources
- Chaffinch — RSPB bird guide
- Chaffinch — BTO BirdFacts
- Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas — Swiss Ornithological Institute
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.