Notes on the Eurasian Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs Linnaeus) in Cape Town and surroundings

Abstract

Many aspects of the biology of the Eurasian Chaffinch in Cape Town have not yet been described. This introduced species breeds and survives, as far as is known, only in this area in South Africa. Here, we compile all accessible information on biometrics, moult, distribution, and subspecies status for the Cape Town population. Over several years, 12 individuals were ringed; we present the moult and biometric data collected, and outline the criteria used to determine age, adding these records to the existing South African ringing data for this species. For a better understanding of the distribution and possible range expansion, we also generated a distribution map of  published and unpublished records in the Cape Town area and surroundings for the 90-year period 1934–2024. Our moult data suggest that the species has adapted its annual life cycle to its new home in the southern hemisphere.