Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhula

This vibrant songbird turns heads with its rosy-red breast and distinctive black cap, brightening gardens and woodlands across Europe and Asia.

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Visual Identification

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

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Red Grey

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Pink

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour (Female)

White Black

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Bullfinch can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Bullfinch can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Bullfinch is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Bullfinch is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Bullfinch is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Bullfinch is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Bullfinch is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Bullfinch is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Bullfinch is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Bullfinch is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Bullfinch is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Bullfinch is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Bullfinch. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons