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Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Not yet photographed by the community

Stocky finch; male unmistakable with vivid red breast.

Species Profile

Red List (UK Birds of Conservation Concern)

Lifespan: 5–9 years in the wild
Size & Weight: 14–16 cm, wingspan 21–25 cm; 21–27 g
Habitat: Deciduous and mixed woodlands, parks, gardens, and scrubland with fruit-bearing shrubs and trees.
UK Distribution: Found throughout the UK, though distribution is patchy and declining in many southern regions. Primarily resident year-round, with some continental birds joining populations in winter.
Diet: Primarily seeds from trees and shrubs, particularly ash, teasel, and dandelion; also buds and shoots. Soft fruits and insects taken seasonally.
Predators: Sparrowhawks, Eurasian jays, and domestic cats; eggs and chicks preyed upon by magpies and crows.
Mating Season: April to August
Breeding: Clutch of 4–5 eggs; incubation period 12–14 days; fledging at 12–18 days. Typically two broods per breeding season.
Behaviour: Bullfinches are relatively shy and unobtrusive, often seen in pairs or small family groups. They have a distinctive flight pattern and produce soft, melodious calls. Males are highly attentive fathers and may feed females during breeding season.

Did You Know?

•The Bullfinch's striking plumage includes a bright red breast in males and a pale peachy breast in females, with a distinctive black cap and white rump in both sexes.
•Bullfinches cause significant damage to fruit orchards and gardens by stripping buds from fruit trees, particularly damson and apple trees, in winter and spring.
•They have exceptionally strong beaks capable of cracking open seeds from hard-cased fruits that other birds cannot access.
•Bullfinch numbers in the UK have declined by over 50% since the 1990s, largely due to loss of scrubby woodland habitat and intensification of agriculture.
•Unlike many songbirds, male Bullfinches sing quietly and are rarely heard; females are equally vocal, unusual among finch species.

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