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
See also  Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)

🍽️ 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
See also  Common myna (Acridotheres tristis)

📌 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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