Hawfinch

Overview

The hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) is a large passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae and the only extant species in its genus. It is mainly resident in Europe but migrates south in winter in Asia, and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• 16.5–18 cm long, bulky and bull-headed with a very short tail that appears strikingly short in flight.
• Orange-brown head with a black eyestripe and bib; upper parts dark brown and underparts orange.
• Massive, wide conical bill, which is black in summer but paler in winter.
• White wing bars and a white tail tip are striking in flight; sexes are similar, though females are slightly paler.

Habitat

The hawfinch favours deciduous or mixed woodland with large trees, especially hornbeam, for breeding, as well as parkland, gardens and pine woods with nearby water. It breeds across Europe and temperate Asia and is a rare vagrant to Alaska. During autumn and winter, it seeks forests with cherry and plum trees to find food.

Diet

The hawfinch feeds primarily on hard seeds and fruit kernels, especially from cherries and plums, which it cracks using its powerful bill capable of exerting a force of 30–48 kg. It also eats pine seeds, berries, sprouts, and occasionally caterpillars and beetles. It often forages in groups, especially in winter.

Did you know?

The hawfinch is highly unusual among cardueline finches because the male chooses the nest site and starts its construction, whereas in other finch species this task is performed by the female.