Bullfinch

The Eurasian bullfinch ('Pyrrhula pyrrhula') is a small passerine bird belonging to the finch family, Fringillidae. In Anglophone Europe, it is commonly known as the bullfinch. Here are some key facts about this delightful bird:

Appearance

The Eurasian bullfinch has a stocky, bull-headed appearance.
Its upper parts are gray, and the flight feathers and short, thick bill are black.
Adult males have striking red underparts, while females and young birds exhibit gray-buff underparts.
The white rump and wing bars are noticeable during flight.
The male's cap and face are also black, but juveniles have grayish-brown cap and face.
Unlike some other finches, males do not undergo a duller autumn plumage during molting.

Song and Calls

The bullfinch's song is often described as "mournful" and contains fluted whistles.
Its usual call is a quiet, low, melancholy whistled "peeu" or "pew."
The song is audible only at close range.

Distribution and Subspecies

The bullfinch is found across Eurasia, from north and south central Europe to central Siberia.
Ten recognized subspecies inhabit different regions, including the British Isles, western Europe, and northeast China.
The Azores bullfinch (*P. murina*) was previously considered a subspecies but is now recognized as a separate species.

Etymology

The Latin name 'pyrrhula' for the Eurasian bullfinch was used by Swiss naturalist Conrad Gesner in 1555.
The word 'pyrrhula' comes from the Greek πυρρός (meaning "flame-colored bird"), mentioned by Aristotle.

In summary, the bullfinch is a charming bird with distinctive markings, a mournful song, and a widespread distribution across Eurasia. Its red-capped appearance makes it a delightful sight for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike!

The bullfinch is a colourful bird that lives in different habitats depending on the season.
In the spring and summer, it prefers to stay in lowland areas with plenty of trees and shrubs, such as woodlands, orchards, hedgerows, and gardens.
In the autumn and winter, it may move to higher altitudes or more open areas, such as fields, moorlands, and coastal regions, where it can find seeds and fruits to feed on.
The bullfinch is widely distributed across Europe and Asia, and has been introduced to New Zealand and the Falkland Islands.

The bullfinch is a small bird with a thick bill and a short tail.
It belongs to the finch family and lives in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens.
The male bullfinch has a bright red chest and belly, a black head, wings and tail, and a white rump.
The female bullfinch has a dull brown chest and belly, a grey-brown head, wings and tail, and a white rump.
Both sexes have a black eye stripe and a grey bill.
The bullfinch feeds on buds, seeds and fruits, and has a soft, whistling call.