Coccothraustes coccothraustes
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.
Length
16.5cm to 18cm
Wingspan
29cm to 33cm
Weight
48g to 62g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Black
Secondary Colour
White Grey
Beak Colour
Grey
Leg Colour
Pink
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Up to 2,000 meters
Temperate, Subtropical
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:
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