Story: Introduced land birds

Male chaffinch

Male chaffinch

The male chaffinch is larger than the female. It has a blue-grey head and nape, and pinkish undersides. Pairs form in early spring and, while the female builds the nest, the male advertises its territory with a distinctive song. Each song is slightly different, and regional dialects have been identified from different parts of New Zealand.

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Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand
Reference: DSCF0157.JPG
Photograph by Peter E. Smith

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How to cite this page:

Christina Troup, 'Introduced land birds - Finches', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17177/male-chaffinch (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by Christina Troup, published 24 Nov 2008, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015