Bullfinch, Sweden.

Bullfinch

Irish Name:

Corcrán coille

Scientific name:

Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Bird Family:

Finches

green

Conservation status

Status

Uncommon but widespread resident.

 

Identification

Named for its characteristic heavy build and thick “bullish” neck, the Bullfinch is a stocky bird. At around 15cm in length they are roughly the same size as a House Sparrow, though often appear much plumper. Their distinctive thick, stubby black bills are the perfect tools both for shearing off tasty flower buds and for crushing tough seeds. Males have a glossy black cap, face, wings and tail, a pale bar on each wing, and striking white rump patch, pencil-grey back and beautiful reddish-rose breast and belly. Females look similar, save that the breast and belly are instead a greyish brown colour. Young birds are browner overall, and lack the black cap. Usually feeds quietly hidden away in a tree or shrub, usually in pairs or small groups.

 

Voice

A quiet melancholic sounding “peu”, sometimes doubled “peu-peu”. The song is a similar quiet warble.

 

Diet

Feeds mainly on the buds of native trees (Oak, Cherry, Hawthorn), as well as seeds and berries.

 

Breeding

Breeds throughout Ireland, usually in hedgerows and deciduous woodland.

 

Wintering

Widespread, especially in gardens.

 

Monitored by

Irish Garden Bird Survey.

 

 

 

Done