The Blue Chaffinch is the rarest member of a family that contains only three species: Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs; Brambling, F. montifringilla; and Blue Chaffinch or Canary Islands Chaffinch, F. teydea. Chaffinches and Bramblings are common birds, occurring across a wide range in Europe, Asia, and parts of the Middle East. The Blue Chaffinch, however, occurs only on the tiny islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife off the northwest coast of Africa. Isolated even from each other, the two islands host separate subspecies of the Blue Chaffinch.
Blue Chaffinch habitat
Even in its limited island home, the Blue Chaffinch has quite specific habitat requirements – it lives only at elevations of 700 – 2000m above sea level (2300 – 6500ft), and usually only in pine forests, although it may be found lower down and in other forest biomes during bad weather. The species’ nesting habitat is even more restricted and is limited to 1000 – 2000m above sea level in pine forests where there is abundant Canary Island false-broom, Chamaecytisus proliferus, growing on the forest floor.
Fringilla teydea habitat has dwindled, particularly on Gran Canaria, where logging has destroyed much of the pine forest and forest fires have destroyed more. The population on Gran Canaria is very small—less than 300 birds—and threatened with extinction.
Blue Chaffinch nesting
Blue Chaffinches build nests in pine tress, using pine needles and pieces of broom, and lining them with soft materials such as moss and feathers. The same plants used to build the nest provide both adults and nestlings with food: adults eat primarily seeds taken from pine cones, but they also feed on broom and other plants. Nestlings, usually two to a nest, are also fed insects and insect larvae, many of which are taken from the deep clefts in pine bark.
Threats to the Blue Chaffinch
The Blue Chaffinch is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. It is vulnerable simply because of its naturally low numbers and limited habitat: catastrophic events such as storms and major forest fires could quickly decimate the species, and inbreeding has an impact as well.
Fire has already destroyed large areas of pine forest in the Canary Islands. Logging accounts for significant habitat loss as well, and human disturbance and illegal trade add additional strain to an already struggling species.
We’re not going to lose the Blue Chaffinch yet, however: efforts to conserve the species are ongoing. Fringilla teydea has been protected since 1980—it’s illegal to hunt, capture, or trade the bird, and to gather eggs or chicks. In addition, an action plan to conserve the species and a captive breeding program have been initiated in the Canary Islands. Reforestation with pine seedlings is ongoing as well—this provides viable expanded habitat for Blue Chaffinches as long as it is done within their natural range.
Read about other isolated island birds:
The Cozumel Thrasher – T. guttatum
The Mysterious Extinct Dodo Bird
Sources:
Avibirds: Online Bird Guide to Europe
Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds. Perrins, Christopher ed. Buffalo: Firefly Books, 2003
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
