Bullfinch

Before the nest is built and breeding begins, the male courts the female with a complicated dance during which he demonstrates his white rump.

Appearance

This is a heavily set finch with a substantial hooked beak, black crown and a shining white belly. The adult male is red on the neck and abdomen while the female has the same features with a greyish brown colour underneath.

Similar bird

This is the only red breasted bird with a black head and ashen grey back.

Sounds and song

A soft call can be heard from both flying and sitting birds.

Song

Contact Call

Food and bird tables

Frequent guest at bird tables.
The bullfinch feeds on seeds, berries and sprouts from deciduous trees, but to some extent also insects. It is a popular bird in Western Europe as it often visits our bird tables in the wintertime.

The nest and hollows

The female builds a nest from twigs and root fibres which she will usually place at a couple of metres height in a small fir or in a juniper shrub.

Distribution

Summer  Resident  Winter