Eurasian Juvenile fledgling Bullfinch (pyrrhula pyrrhula) being fed by the Adult Male Bullfinch in the forest
The Bullfinch is a medium-sized finch that has quite a round body, with a large robust bill. Males and females have a black cap that extends forward around the bill, a grey back, black wings with a grey-white wing bar, a black tail and a white rump. However, while the female and juveniles are pinkish-grey, the male stands out with rose-red underparts. You are much more likely to see a bullfinch than to hear one as they are shy birds. They have a very soft and very subtle call which is a low, short whistle ‘peu’.
The male breeding song is very quiet as well, consisting of a descending series of notes, repeated at intervals. In addition, they are a skilful mimic and were popular cage birds at one point, with people determined to teach them different tunes that were played to them.
Breeding bullfinch pairs appear to remain together over several breeding seasons. They are not overly territorial during the breeding season, potentially due to the low density of occurrence, so it is not unheard of to see two males sharing a bird feeder.
They rarely breed in gardens as they prefer to nest in thick cover. However, you may still see them feeding, as adults can travel a long distance from the nest due to the patchy distribution of food. This means that they have developed special food sacs which are positioned in the floor of the mouth, allowing the parents to bring back food to their chicks. They are the only species of finch to have such sacs.
Eurasian Juvenile fledgling Bullfinch (pyrrhula pyrrhula) being fed by the Adult Male Bullfinch in the forest
The Bullfinch is a medium-sized finch that has quite a round body, with a large robust bill. Males and females have a black cap that extends forward around the bill, a grey back, black wings with a grey-white wing bar, a black tail and a white rump. However, while the female and juveniles are pinkish-grey, the male stands out with rose-red underparts. You are much more likely to see a bullfinch than to hear one as they are shy birds. They have a very soft and very subtle call which is a low, short whistle ‘peu’.
The male breeding song is very quiet as well, consisting of a descending series of notes, repeated at intervals. In addition, they are a skilful mimic and were popular cage birds at one point, with people determined to teach them different tunes that were played to them.
Breeding bullfinch pairs appear to remain together over several breeding seasons. They are not overly territorial during the breeding season, potentially due to the low density of occurrence, so it is not unheard of to see two males sharing a bird feeder.
They rarely breed in gardens as they prefer to nest in thick cover. However, you may still see them feeding, as adults can travel a long distance from the nest due to the patchy distribution of food. This means that they have developed special food sacs which are positioned in the floor of the mouth, allowing the parents to bring back food to their chicks. They are the only species of finch to have such sacs.