| Eurasian Bullfinch | |
|---|---|
 adult male | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Fringillidae |
| Genus: | Pyrrhula |
| Species: | Pyrrhula pyrrhula |
The Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) is a small passerine bird in the finch family.
Description[]
The Bullfinch is a bulky bull-headed bird. The upperparts are grey, the flight feathers and short thick bill are black as are the cap and face in adults (they are greyish-brown in juveniles), and the white rump and wing bars are striking in flight. The adult male has red underparts, but females and young birds have grey-buff underparts.
Voice[]
The pleasant song of this unobtrusive bird contains fluted whistles.
Behavior[]
Its nest is built in a bush, (preferably more than 4 metres tall and wide), mature stands of scrub, or tree, laying 4-7 eggs. The diet is mainly composed of seeds and buds of fruit trees, which can make it a pest in orchards. If wild bird cover is planted for it, kale, quinoa and millet are preferred, next to tall hedges or woodland.
This species does not form large flocks outside the breeding season, and is usually seen as a pair or family group.
Distribution and Habitat[]
This bird breeds across Europe and temperate Asia. It is mainly resident, but many northern birds migrate further south in the winter. Mixed woodland with some conifers is favored for breeding, including parkland and gardens.
