Chaffinch

The introduced chaffinch, or pahirini, is abundant across New Zealand from city parks to native forest edges. Males have a blue-grey crown, pinkish breast and chestnut back; females are olive-brown, while both sexes show two white wing bars and white outer tail feathers.

It is established throughout the main islands and on several offshore islands wherever trees and open feeding ground occur together. Chaffinches take seeds from the ground and insects from foliage, joining mixed finch flocks outside the breeding season.

Gardens, picnic areas and forest margins throughout New Zealand regularly hold chaffinches.