The Blue Chaffinch (Fringilla teydea) is restricted to mountain Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis) forests on Tenerife and Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. Its preference is for habitat at around 1100–2000 m, but it will descend lower in bad weather.This bird is not migratory.
This species may form small flocks outside the breeding season.
Breeding / Nesting:
In its natural habitat, this finch builds its nest in a tree fork, and lays two eggs. Each clutch averages 4 to 6 grey to green-blue eggs with purplish to reddish-brown splotches or pure blue with slight blackish-purple spots. The eggs are incubated for 11 to 13 days and the young fledge 13 to 14 days after hatching.
Description:
The Blue Chaffinch structurally resembles a large Chaffinch, but the breeding male is unmistakable, with its largely blue plumage and grey bill.
These finches average 15 cm / 6 in in size. The female is like a large dark grey-brown female Chaffinch, but the wing bars are much weaker.
Diet:
The food consists mainly of seeds, but unlike most finches, the young are fed extensively on insects.
Song:
The song is shorter and weaker than that of the Chaffinch, and the flight call is croakier.
