Eurasian bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)

🐦 Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)

The Eurasian Bullfinch is a strikingly colored and stocky songbird found throughout Europe and parts of Asia. Known for its soft, whistling calls and vivid plumage, especially in males, this species is a quiet but charming presence in woodlands and gardens.

🔍 Identification

• Size:
  • Length: ~15–17 cm
  • Wingspan: ~22–26 cm
  • Weight: ~21–27 g
• Plumage:
  • Male: Bright rose-red underparts, black cap, black wings and tail, grey back, and white rump
  • Female: More subdued, with grey-brown underparts but same black cap and wings
  • Juveniles: Similar to females but lack a black cap
• Bill: Short and thick—ideal for seed-cracking
• Call: A soft, melancholy “peu” or “pip” call; quiet, fluting song used sparingly

🌍 Distribution & Habitat

• Range:
  • Found across Europe, Russia, and Asia to Japan
  • Resident in most areas; some northern populations migrate south in winter
• Habitat:
  • Prefers mixed and coniferous woodland, forest edges, hedgerows, orchards, and gardens
  • Often seen in pairs or small family groups, not large flocks

🍽️ Diet

• Primarily seeds and buds of trees and shrubs (especially in spring—sometimes damaging fruit trees)
• Also eats insects, especially during the breeding season to feed chicks
• Known to feed on ash, maple, and fruit tree buds

🐣 Breeding

• Breeding Season: April to July
• Nesting:
  • Nests are well-concealed in dense shrubs or low trees
  • Built from twigs, moss, and fine roots
• Clutch Size: Typically 4–6 eggs
• Incubation: ~12–14 days by the female
• Both parents feed the chicks after hatching

🌟 Behavior

• Usually shy and quiet, often going unnoticed unless actively sought
• Tends to stay low in vegetation or perch quietly in trees
• Does not form large flocks, unlike many other finches

✅ Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern
• Population trend: Stable in most of its range, though has declined locally due to habitat loss and changes in agricultural practices

📌 Summary

The Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) is a beautiful, soft-spoken bird with distinctive plumage and a calm demeanor. Despite its striking colors, it often goes unnoticed due to its quiet habits. Favored by birdwatchers and garden visitors alike, the bullfinch is a treasured species that adds a splash of color and a gentle whistle to the European countryside.

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