Eurasian Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Genus · Bullfinches Family · Finches, Euphonias, and Allies
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Berry bushesBird feederConiferous branches

Look for the flash of the white rump as the bird flies into a bush. Listen for the very quiet 'phuu' whistle.

Eurasian Bullfinch

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan22–28 cm
Weight21–38 g
Length14–17 cm
Lifespan wild2–12 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCup
Clutch size4–6 eggs
Incubation12–14 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationPartial migratory
Social BehaviourMonogamous pairs

Diet: Herbivore

🫐Berries
🍃Plants
🌻Seeds

Habitat

🌲 Forest coniferous🌲🌳 Forest mixed🏡 Garden🍎 Orchard🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

Bullfinches are unusually loyal partners and are almost always seen in pairs, even in winter when most other finches gather in large mixed flocks.

About

A shy, chunky finch of woodlands and large gardens. It has soft, velvet-like plumage and a thick black bill. It is a resident species across much of Europe. Despite the male's bright colors, they are hard to spot because they stay deep in cover.

Behaviour

Bullfinches famously feed on the buds of fruit trees in spring. In winter, they switch to seeds like ash and blackberry. They usually move in pairs or small family groups. Their call is a very soft, melancholy whistle: 'phuu'.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Features a brick-red breast and cheeks. He has a grey back and a jet-black cap. His white rump is very visible in flight.

♀ Female

Shares the black cap and white rump. Her breast is a subtle pinkish-brown or buff for camouflage.

Similar species

Common Chaffinch
🐦
Common Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs
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