Bullfinches - How Did They Get The Name? (1 Viewer)

[Sandy Beech]

I read that these were originally called 'Bud Finches' but fear this is not based upon fact. Can anyone advise please?

Many thanks



Alex

 

[fugl]

According to the OED, the origin of the name is uncertain, but "some have suggested that it was given on account of the thickness of the bird's neck"

 

[nickderry]

It's not just in English that there is an odd relationship with cattle - the French 'bouvreuil' comes from 'bouvier' - cattleherd. Though the common German name is Gimpel, Blutfink (blood finch) also exists - maybe the English comes from this.

 

[Richard Klim]

According to Mark Cocker & Richard Mabey 2005 (Birds Britannica):

"W. B. Lockwood feels that the explanation for the name (Bullfinch), which in medieval times was simply shortened to "bull", 'remains elusive'. Yet one cannot help thinking that the bird's globular bill and neckless rotundity are the key. As in 'bulldog' or 'bullfrog', the name was intended to convey the creature's front-heavy – literally bull-headed – construction."​

Francesca Greenoak 1997 (British Birds – their Folklore, Names & Literature) concurs: "from its large head and stocky form".

But Greenoak also gives as other British names:

• from its large head & stocky form: Bull Flinch (Yorks), Bull Head, Bulldog, Bull Spink, Bully (Yorks), Thick Bill (Lancs)
  
• from 'Alpe' the old name for the bird: Alpe, Hoop, Hope (SW), Tope, Hoof, Cock Hoop (Hereford), Olf (E Suffolk), Nope (Staffs/Salop), Mwope (Dorset), Mawp (Lancs), Pope (Dorset)
  
• colour names: Red Hoop (m, Dorset), Blood Olp (m, Surrey/Norfolk), Tawny (f, Somerset), Tony Hoop, Tonnihood (f, Somerset), Black Cap (Lincs), Billy Black Cap, Black Nob (Salop), Monk
  
• from its partiality to fruit buds: Bud Bird, Bud Finch, Bud Picker (Devon), Budding Bird (Hereford), Plum Bird, Lum Budder (Salop)

Richard

 

[gw4aurora]

In Flintshire apart from the Welsh names years ago I have heard old folk call it a whibber after it's call.

 

[fugl]

According to Mark Cocker & Richard Mabey 2005 (Birds Britannica):

"W. B. Lockwood feels that the explanation for the name (Bullfinch), which in medieval times was simply shortened to "bull", 'remains elusive'. Yet one cannot help thinking that the bird's globular bill and neckless rotundity are the key. As in 'bulldog' or 'bullfrog', the name was intended to convey the creature's front-heavy – literally bull-headed – construction."​

[Richard

I think Crocker & Mabey are wrong about "bullfrog" which most authorities (e.g., the OED) claim was named after its voice (which can sound very bovine at a distance) not its shape--which isn't particularly bull-like--or size.

 

[megis]

Their aggressive behaviour when flocking to feed could be regarded as "bullish" (I observe this each day in my garden).

 

[Andy Adcock]

According to the OED, the origin of the name is uncertain, but "some have suggested that it was given on account of the thickness of the bird's neck"

Without ever researching it, this was always my assumption.

 

[alanc]

Yes the thickness of the neck seems likely - the late issue silver coins of George III are known as "bull head" types due to the thicknes of his neck in the portrait

 

[Jay C]

I've always believed that "bulldog" came from the fact that they were bred for the purpose of fighting bulls, rather than anything to do with the dog's appearance. It should also be noted that historically bulldogs were much healthier and athletic dogs than the poor deformed and inbred creatures that we are now familiar with.

 

[Andy Adcock]

I've always believed that "bulldog" came from the fact that they were bred for the purpose of fighting bulls, rather than anything to do with the dog's appearance. It should also be noted that historically bulldogs were much healthier and athletic dogs than the poor deformed and inbred creatures that we are now familiar with.

So what about the Bullhead fish, that wasn't bred for fighting bulls.

https://warehouse1.indicia.org.uk/upload/p17ulhavnm6ci1e591hnk1f4pbner.jpg