Male Chaffinch ( Fringilla coelebs )

A bit of an EB/just in case shot.  Busy all day so few opportunities for photography.

Male Chaffies always catch my eye, the colours are so striking.  A common bird found in 94% of tetrads throughout UK.  However there has been a marked decline in number over the last decades.  This appears to be mainly owing to Trichomonoses.  Trichomonosis is caused by a parasite. It had been found in pigeons and birds of prey for quite a time before it started infinches in 2005.


The parasite doesn't survive well out of the body or in dry conditions.  People with garden feeders can help the situation by ensuring they clean and disinfect feeders regularly.  The disease is spread by contact with other birds and food contaminated by sick birds.