Conservation status: Amber
The male is unmistakable with his bright pinkish-red breast and cheeks, grey back, black cap and tail, and bright white rump. The flash of the rump in flight and the sad call note are usually the first signs of bullfinches being present. They feed voraciously on the buds of various trees in spring and were once a 'pest' of fruit crops.
Latin name
Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Family
Finches (Fringillidae)
Where to see them
Woodlands, orchard and hedgerows. Best looked for at woodland edges - usually located by its mournful call.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Seeds, buds and insects (for young).
Population
| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* | | - | 166,000 territories | - | - |
- In the UK
- All UK, except far N and w of Scotland
- In Europe
- All Europe
- Worldwide
- Europe and Asia