The Tenerife blue chaffinch, a passerine bird belonging to the finch family Fringillidae, is a species that calls the island of Tenerife its home. This bird, with its striking blue plumage in males, serves as the natural emblem of Tenerife, sharing this honor with the Canary Islands dragon tree.
The male Tenerife blue chaffinch is a sight to behold with its predominantly blue feathers and a contrasting grey bill. Larger than the common chaffinch, it also sports a more robust bill and lacks the dark cap seen in its relatives. The female, while more subdued in color, is a dull grey-brown and can be recognized by her less pronounced wing bars.
The preferred habitat of this bird is the mountainous Canary Island pine forests, thriving in areas with dense undergrowth. It also inhabits laurel and pine woodlands, as well as tree-heath and scrublands.
This bird is endemic to Tenerife and is found exclusively in the highlands of the island.
The Tenerife blue chaffinch is known for its song, which is shorter and less robust than that of the common chaffinch, and a flight call that is distinctly croakier. It is not a migratory species, and outside of the breeding season, it may form small flocks, occasionally mingling with common chaffinches and other finches.
The diet of this bird is primarily composed of Canary Island pine seeds. During the breeding season, its young are fed a significant amount of insects, a trait it shares with the common chaffinch but is less common among other finches.
