Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a small range and a moderately small population. The area of suitable habitat on Tenerife is increasing overall, which suggests that the population is also increasing, and the range is not severely fragmented. However, this species has a very small range which approaches the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion D2. Forest fires remain a serious and plausible potential threat and have the potential to cause a rapid population decline which would warrant the species being uplisted to Vulnerable or Endangered. The number of locations is believed to be higher than 5. The species is therefore assessed as Near Threatened. Were appropriate action to be taken which reduces the risk of serious fires such that they no longer represent a plausible threat, the species may be eligible for downlisting to Least Concern in the future.
Population justification
The total population is estimated to be 1,000-2,500 pairs, equivalent to 2,000-5,000 mature individuals, however these numbers are unreliable as there has never been a proper census (BirdLife International in prep., 2021).
Trend justification
Overall trends are thought to be positive, with increases observed in the breeding range since the 1970s. Plantations of Pinus canariensis since the mid-20th century have been increasing the area of suitable habitat on Tenerife and restoring fragmented habitat (Barov and Derhé 2011; Keller, 2020). This is supported by BirdLife International (in prep., 2021), where there is believed to be increasing trends short-term (2007-18) and long-term (1980-2018).
This species is found only on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. The total population is estimated to be 1,000-2,500 pairs, equivalent to 2,000-5,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015), although this may be an underestimate (Garcia-del-Rey in litt. 2016, F. Rodríguez in litt. 2016). The species's overall range and population are effectively increasing due to positive trends in the area of suitable habitat on Tenerife (Barov and Derhé, 2011).
Until recently, Fringilla teydea also included Fringilla polatzeki as a subspecies, which has now been recognised as a separate species (Sangster et al., 2016). The Tenerife Blue Chaffinch is largely dependent on Canary pine Pinus canariensis and will inhabit reforested areas where these fall within the natural distribution of this tree. Although Canary pine seeds constitute its main food source, birds occasionally feed outside pinewoods during severe weather. During the breeding season, it is found in pinewoods at 1,000-2,000 m asl with a high proportion of broom Chamaecytisus proliferus in the understorey. It has been recorded from 700 to 2,300 m at other times: such as in the high-elevational shrubland around the Pico del Teide, or as low as 700 m in the south during winter (Keller et al., 2020). The species selects sheltered sites for feeding during the non-breeding period, with the selection of less sheltered sites mediated by pine seed availability (Garcia-del-Rey et al. 2009). The breeding season lasts from April to early August. Two eggs are generally laid, with potentially two broods per pair in a year (F. Rodríguez in litt. 2016).
This species suffers from being captured and kept in cages, and possibly also still from illegal trade, primarily to Italy, Germany and Belgium, which may have an effect on population levels. Its pinewood habitat has been subject to intense commercial exploitation which has resulted in habitat fragmentation and population isolation. Forest fires have been important in the destruction of pinewoods, however burnt areas recover quickly and are soon reoccupied by chaffinches (Keller et al., 2020). Predation by feral cats has been observed (F. Rodríguez in litt. 2016).
Conservation Actions Underway
Bern Convention Appendix II. EU Birds Directive Annex I. It has been legally protected from hunting, capture, trade, egg or chick collection since 1980. El Teide forest on Tenerife was designated as National Parks or Natural Areas in 1987. A conservation programme was initiated in 1991 and a captive breeding programme began in 1992. An action plan was published in 1996 (González 1996). Fire prevention measures are implemented, particularly during the summer. Control measures against alien species are being implemented on Tenerife. Illegal hunting is reduced and public awareness has increased (Keller et al., 2020).
16-17 cm. Relatively uniform, bluish-grey finch. Adult male has blue-grey head, back and underparts with paler chin and throat. Black wings at close range showing two wing-bars. Dull black tail. Light blue bill with black tip in breeding season. Grey-brown legs. Adult female same plumage pattern as male but greyish olive-brown above and brownish ashy-grey below. Wing bars more apparent. Similar spp. Chaffinch F. coelebs less robust and shorter tail. Plumage less uniform and wing markings more striking. Voice Short accelerating and descending series of notes.
Text account compilers
McGonigle, K.
Contributors
Iñigo, A., Lorenzo, J.A., Garcia-del-Rey, E., Westrip, J.R.S., Taylor, J., Ekstrom, J., Capper, D., Bird, J., Derhé, M., Peet, N. & Ashpole, J
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Species factsheet: Tenerife Blue Chaffinch Fringilla teydea. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/tenerife-blue-chaffinch-fringilla-teydea on 03/01/2025.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2025) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 03/01/2025.