Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Bullfinch
Scientific Name:
Pyrrhulla pyrrhulla
Common Family:
finches
Scientific Family:
Fringillidae
Length:
14-16cm
Wingspan (mm):
22-29 cm
Lifespan:
2 years Description
The male bullfinch is particularly striking with a blue-grey back, bright rose-pink breast, belly and cheeks. The female bullfinch is very similar in appearance, however, her breast is a dull Pinkish-brown colour.White rump is often all that is seen as birds fly off.
Our resident Bullfinch population is joined in Winter by Bullfinches from northern Europe and these are slightly larger and heavier with the male having a more intense pink breast and very pale upperparts.
Distribution
Numerous and widespread across most of Europe, birds can be overlooked as they tend to be rather shy and quiet
Habitat
Woodland edges, hedgerows, orchards and large gardens.
Diet
Throughout most of spring bullfinches will feed primarily on fruit buds and seeds and can consume about 30 per minute, which has made them one of the greatest enemies of fruit farmers. During late autumn bullfinches usually feed on the seeds of herbaceous plants,but as winter draws in the bullfinch will usually feed on tree seeds. They will readily visit bird feeders and tables, mainly consuming sunflower seeds and hearts.
Behaviour
Shy and secretive bird it generally travels’s in pairs. It is very partial to buds of fruit trees and is some times regarded as a pest.
Reproduction
4-5 light blue eggs With a few dark brown spots in a nest of fine twigs. Incubate the eggs 14-16 days the young will fledge 16-18 days later. Mainly two broods a year
Population
There is thought to be 190,000 territories across most of Britain. Though declining in Northern Isles and parts of Northern Scotland.
Status
Amber
Did You Know?
Bullfinches were once considered a serious pest in orchards, so much so that in the 16th century, Henry VIII condemned their 'criminal attacks' on fruit trees, and an Act of Parliament declared that one penny would be paid for every bird killed.The oldest bird was recorded at 9 years of age.Bullfinches often pair for life.
