Eurasian Bullfinch

Overview

The Eurasian bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) is a small passerine bird in the finch family, Fringillidae, known simply as the bullfinch in Anglophone Europe. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Bulky, bull-headed bird with grey upper parts and a short, thick black bill.
• Adult males possess a distinctive rich red chest and underparts, while females and juveniles display grey-buff plumage in these areas.
• White rump and wing bars are striking in flight, contrasting with the black flight feathers and cap.
• Song features fluted, 'mournful' whistles that are only audible at close range, with a usual call being a quiet, low, melancholy 'peeu' or 'pew'.

Habitat

This species breeds across Europe and temperate Asia, favouring mixed woodland with some conifers, including parkland and gardens. It is mainly resident, though many northern birds migrate further south in the winter.

Diet

The bird mainly feeds on seeds and buds of fruit trees, such as ash and hawthorn in autumn and early winter, which can make it a pest in orchards. Adults feed chicks with invertebrates. If provided with wild bird cover, they prefer kale, quinoa, and millet next to tall hedges or woodland.

Did you know?

The Eurasian bullfinch is peculiar among passerine birds for having spermatozoa with a rounded head and a blunt acrosome.