Eurasian Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Photo by mikibedi
Photographed: Upton Warren, Worcs

Identification

• Stocky finch
• Stubby bill
• Black face and cap
• White bar on black wings
• White rump

Males

Blue-grey upperparts and bright red underparts

Females

Duller, with pinkish-brown underparts

Photo by Alan R< />Female Bullfinch, Llanelli, 2008

Juveniles

Similar to females, but do not acquire the black cap until after their first moult

The flight is undulating.

Distribution

Widely distributed and common over much of range. Breeds throughout the British Isles and France, northern Spain east across Europe to the Urals including much of Scandinavia except the far north and higher mountains and north to the White Sea in Russia. Breeds south to the Mediterranean coast of France, northern Italy and the Balkans, northern Turkey and the Caucasus.

Migratory in far north of range, partial migrant or resident elsewhere, migrants move southwards in Oct-Nov, returning Mar-Apr. More widespread in winter, especially in Iberia, south and South-East Europe and Turkey.

Vagrants recorded in Iceland, Gibraltar, North-West Africa, Sicily and Malta, Jordan.

Taxonomy

Several races occur in the Region differing in intensity of colour of male and very slightly in overall size. Nominate race is largest and occurs in northern parts of Scandinavia and Russia, with the very similar europoea from the Pyrenees to Germany and slightly smaller pileata from British Is in which male is darker grey above and duller pink below.

Compared to nominate, P.p.iberiae from northern Iberia is more orange below in males with some red on the back and females paler above, rossikowi from northern Turkey and the Caucasus is deeper, more reddish-pink below.

Habitat

Woodland and open forest, usually deciduous but also coniferous in the north. Also on farmland with copses and hedgerows, orchards, gardens and town parks. Generally shy and secretive.

Behaviour

Diet

Bullfinches have a broad diet, consisting mainly of the seeds and berries of a variety of plants. When these are scarce during the spring they turn to the buds of fruit trees. When bullfinches occurred in higher numbers they were considered to be pests of orchards.

Breeding

Nests are built in dense hedges and woods between four and seven feet from the ground. Fine twigs, moss and lichens are used to construct the main body of the nest and a lining of fine roots is added. In May 4-5 pale blue spotted eggs are laid, the female incubates the eggs for 12-14 days after which both parents feed the chicks. A further 12 to 16 days later the chicks fledge. A second brood is then usually produced.

Voice

Call

Include a subdued piping warble. <flashmp3>Pyrrhula pyrrhula (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program

External Links

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