Fringilla coelebs
The finch is one of the most widespread forest birds in Europe. Its vigorous song, which ends with a characteristic "bloom", is the background sound of the Delta forests during the spring months.
The male is vividly coloured: blue-grey crown, pink-red cheeks and breast, chestnut back. The female is more modest, olive-brown. Both sexes show two conspicuous white wing bars, clearly visible in flight and the quickest field identification feature.
Occupies any type of woodland, parks and gardens. In the Delta it is found in the ridge forests and in the gallery woodland strips along the main channels. Present year-round, though some individuals are partial migrants.
In summer it searches for insects and caterpillars through the tree canopy; in winter it feeds on the ground on seeds. The Latin name coelebs (bachelor) derives from the fact that migrating flocks are often sex-segregated — females migrate further south than males.
The nest is a masterpiece of camouflage: a compact cup of moss and lichen, bound with spider silk, which blends perfectly with the bark of the branch on which it sits. The female lays 4–5 eggs, incubated for approximately 13–14 days.
Globally Least Concern (LC). The population is enormous and stable throughout Romania. No special conservation measures are required — it is one of the most abundant bird species in the country.