Bullfinch
Least ConcernPyrrhula pyrrhula
Visual Identification
Bullfinch
Appearance
The Bullfinch is a stout, compact bird with a distinctive appearance. Males have bright, rosy-red breasts and cheeks, contrasting sharply with their grey back, black cap, wings, and tail. The white rump is conspicuous in flight.
Females are less colourful, with greyish-brown underparts instead of red. Both sexes have a black beak, pink legs, and a distinctive white wing bar. Juveniles resemble females but lack the black cap.
Size
Length
14cm to 16cm
Wingspan
22cm to 26cm
Weight
21g to 27g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Bullfinches inhabit deciduous and mixed woodlands, preferring areas with dense undergrowth. They are also found in orchards, parks, and well-vegetated gardens across Europe and parts of Asia.
Bullfinches are residents year-round in the UK, with some local movements in winter. They are less common in urban areas but can be spotted in suburban gardens, especially during colder months when food is scarce in their natural habitats.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,500 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Bullfinches primarily feed on seeds, buds, and fruits. Their specialised beak allows them to expertly extract seeds from various plants, including ash and elm trees.
They favour flower buds in the winter and spring, and they can cause considerable damage to fruit crops like pears, apples, gooseberries, cherries, and plums. Unfortunately, this habit has given them pest status among farmers.
Behaviour
Bullfinches are typically shy and quiet birds, often spotted in pairs or small family groups. They move deliberately through trees and shrubs, using their strong beaks to extract seeds.
During the breeding season, males perform a gentle, swaying courtship dance accompanied by soft warbling to attract females.
Vocalisation
Nesting & Breeding
Bullfinches form monogamous pairs and breed from April to August. Males court females with a gentle swaying dance and soft warbling songs.
The female builds nests, typically in dense shrubs or hedgerows. They are cup-shaped structures made of twigs, moss, and lichens, lined with fine roots and hair. Females lay 4-5 pale blue eggs with purplish-brown speckles.
Incubation lasts about 12-14 days and is performed solely by the female while the male feeds her. Both parents care for the chicks, which fledge after 15-17 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.
Lifespan
The Bullfinch typically lives for 2 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 17.5 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While listed as Least Concern globally, Bullfinch populations have experienced declines in some areas due to habitat loss and changes in agricultural practices.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining diverse woodland habitats and promoting wildlife-friendly gardening practices.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their soft, melancholic whistling call
- Look for flashes of white on the rump during flight
- Check fruit trees and shrubs in gardens and woodland edges
- In the UK, visit bird feeders in winter for better chances of spotting them
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Eurasian Bullfinch, Common Bullfinch
Family:
FringillidaePredators
Did You Know?
- Bullfinches have exceptional memory and can learn up to 30 different notes to sing.
- They were once popular cage birds due to their ability to mimic human whistles.
- The Bullfinch's beak changes shape seasonally to adapt to available food sources.
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FAQs
How to attract Bullfinches
Bullfinches are generally uncommon garden birds and have been reported from about one in ten UK gardens. They are most likely to visit well-wooded gardens, particularly in rural areas with nearby woodlands.
One way to attract Bullfinches is to grow fruit trees that provide a natural food source, although they will occasionally visit bird tables, especially if sunflower seeds are on offer. Providing a bird bath or other fresh water source is another way to attract them and many other garden birds.
What is a group of Bullfinches called?
Known collective nouns for a group of Bullfinches are as follows:
- a bellowing of bullfinches
- a lowing of bullfinches
- a volery of bullfinches
Similar Birds
References
- 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Pyrrhula pyrrhula. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22720671A132141969.
View source - 4
report, 2015: EBCC
- 1
journalArticle, 2006: Moller, Sociality, age at first reproduction and senescence: comparative analyses of birds, J Evol Biol, 19:682-689
View source