Finches in United Kingdom
11 species matching this filter.
The United Kingdom is home to 11 species of finch, ranging from the familiar Chaffinch and European Goldfinch to the more elusive Hawfinch and Red Crossbill. These colourful seed-eating birds can be found across a variety of habitats, from woodland edges and hedgerows to parks and garden feeders, making them some of the most beloved birds in British birdwatching. For help telling them apart, explore our Types of Finches in the UK: Identification Guide, or learn more about the feeding habits of one of our most charming species in What Do Greenfinches Eat? (All You Need To Know).
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, often joining Chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and garden feeders. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Sep–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A common but shy resident of hedgerows, woodland edges, and gardens. The male's rosy-pink breast makes it one of Britain's most striking finches.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
One of the UK's most abundant birds, found in gardens, woodlands and hedgerows year-round. Its cheerful descending song is a hallmark of spring.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident and winter visitor, favouring birch and alder woodland. Numbers fluctuate with irruptive movements from the Continent.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
A common resident breeding in conifer woods, visiting garden feeders in large numbers during autumn and winter.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident found in gardens, parks, and farmland year-round. Often seen in lively flocks feeding on seed heads of thistles and teasels.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows, and farmland. Numbers have declined sharply due to trichomonosis but it remains widespread.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive resident of mature broadleaved woodland. Easiest to find in late winter when flocks gather at favoured sites.
Aug–Jun
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A year-round resident of farmland, heathland and coastal scrub. Often seen in flocks outside the breeding season but declining due to habitat loss.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A resident of mature conifer plantations, with numbers boosted by periodic irruptions from the continent. Its crossed bill is perfectly adapted for extracting pine seeds.
Year-round
Twite
Linaria flavirostrisLC
An uncommon resident of upland moorland in summer, moving to coastal saltmarshes in winter. A declining species of conservation concern in the UK.
Year-round