Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Least Concern
With its massive beak and powerful jaws, this stocky finch can crack open cherry pits and other tough seeds with ease.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Hawfinch is a stocky finch with a massive, powerful bill. Its head is large and rounded, with chestnut-brown plumage, a black bib, and a grey nape. The wings feature distinctive white patches and blue-black flight feathers.

Both sexes are similar, with males slightly brighter overall. Legs are pinkish-brown, and irises are reddish-brown.

Juveniles have paler plumage and lack the black bib - their colouring is more of a mottled yellowish-brown than the richer chestnut tones.

The bird's most striking feature is its enormous, conical bill, which appears blue-grey in the breeding season and horn-coloured in winter.

Size

Length

16.5cm to 18cm

Wingspan

29cm to 33cm

Weight

48g to 62g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Black

Secondary Colour

White Grey

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Hawfinch can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Hawfinch can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Hawfinch is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Hawfinch is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Hawfinch is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Hawfinch is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Hawfinch is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Hawfinch is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Hawfinch is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Hawfinch is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Hawfinch is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Hawfinch is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Hawfinches inhabit mature deciduous and mixed woodlands across Europe and parts of Asia. They show a preference for forests with hornbeam, beech, and oak trees. In the UK, they are found mainly in southern England and Wales, with some populations in Scotland.

Some northern populations move southward during winter, while others remain resident year-round. In recent years, their range has expanded in some areas, possibly due to climate change, but they have become scarcer in others.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Hawfinch. 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
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Afghanistan Algeria Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iran Israel Italy Latvia Lebanon Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Moldova Morocco Netherlands Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan The United Kingdom Tunisia Turkey Ukraine
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Albania Armenia Bosnia and Herzegovina China Georgia Japan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Mongolia Montenegro North Korea Norway Poland Russia Serbia Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Andorra Cyprus Iraq Jordan
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Faroe Islands Gibraltar Ireland Saudi Arabia Syria United States of America

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 65

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Hawfinch displays moderate agility with its bouncing flight pattern and ability to navigate through dense foliage. Its stocky build suggests it's not as nimble as some smaller finches, but it's certainly capable of swift movements when necessary.

Strength 85

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Hawfinches possess remarkable strength, particularly in their bills. Their ability to exert up to 50 kg of force to crack open hard seeds and fruit stones is exceptional among seed-eating birds, justifying a high strength rating.

Adaptability 70

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These birds show good adaptability, inhabiting various woodland types across Europe and Asia. Their ability to crack open different types of seeds and adjust their diet seasonally demonstrates flexibility. However, their specific habitat requirements and sensitivity to woodland changes slightly limit this score.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Hawfinches are typically shy and elusive, suggesting a low level of aggression. They're usually seen in pairs or small flocks, indicating sociable behaviour. However, like most birds, they may display some territorial behaviour during breeding season, hence the moderate score.

Endurance 60

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

While specific endurance data is limited, Hawfinches' partial migratory behaviour and ability to survive in various climates suggest moderate endurance. Their stocky build might limit long-distance flight capabilities compared to some other migratory species, resulting in a middling endurance score.

Diet

Hawfinches primarily feed on seeds and kernels of trees such as hornbeam, beech, and cherry. Their powerful bills allow them to crack open hard fruit stones and extract the kernels.

They also consume buds, shoots, and occasionally insects, especially when feeding their young. In winter, they may visit bird feeders for sunflower seeds.

Behaviour

Hawfinches are typically shy and elusive, often perching high in tree canopies. They move with a bouncing flight pattern and are usually seen in pairs or small flocks.

These birds are known for their remarkable ability to crack open hard seeds and fruit stones with their powerful bills, producing a distinctive cracking sound that can be heard from a distance.

Vocalisation

The Hawfinch has a surprisingly quiet and inconspicuous call for its size. Its most common vocalisation is a sharp, metallic 'tick' or 'pix' sound. Their main song is somewhat similar to the sound of a Robin.

During the breeding season, males produce a quiet, warbling song that is rarely heard. In flight, they emit a soft, high-pitched 'seep' call.

Nesting & Breeding

Hawfinches form monogamous pairs and breed from late April to July. Males perform courtship displays, including puffing up their feathers and making short flights to attract females.

Nests are typically built high in trees, constructed of twigs and lined with fine roots and hair. Females lay 3-5 pale blue or green eggs with dark speckles.

Incubation lasts about 11-13 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 12-14 days but continue to be fed by adults for several weeks after leaving the nest.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While the Hawfinch is listed as Least Concern globally, some local populations have experienced declines. In the UK, for example, the species has significantly decreased in recent decades. Habitat loss and fragmentation of mature woodlands are primary threats. Conservation efforts focus on preserving and managing suitable woodland habitats.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

10,400,000 - 20,200,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Hawfinches in mature deciduous or mixed woodlands, especially those with hornbeam or wild cherry trees.
  • Listen for their distinctive 'tick' call, which can help locate them in dense foliage.
  • In the UK, visit sites like the Forest of Dean or Bedgebury Pinetum for better chances of spotting them.
  • Use binoculars to spot their unique bill shape and wing patterns when perched high in trees.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Common Hawfinch

Family:

Fringillidae

Average Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Predators

Adult Hawfinches are preyed upon by birds of prey such as Sparrowhawks and Goshawks. Nest predators include Jays, Magpies, and squirrels, which may take eggs or nestlings.

Did You Know?

  1. The Hawfinch has one of the strongest bites of any seed-eating bird, capable of exerting a force of up to 50 kg.
  2. Their unique bill shape is an adaptation for cracking open hard seeds and fruit stones.
  3. Despite their size, Hawfinches are remarkably elusive and often go unnoticed even in areas where they are resident.

References

  1. 1 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2017. Coccothraustes coccothraustes (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22720681A111132393.

    View source
  2. 3

    report, 2015: EBCC

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