Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Interesting facts: The bullfinch is almost purely a vegetarian. Shrubs and herb seeds, buds, berries and fruit stones are on its menu. Earlier, the bird often made itself unpopular by picking the buds off the fruit trees in late winter. Bullfinches are very shy birds. We are most likely to find the species where there are evergreen plants, such as conifers.

Characteristics: Cap and chin are black in both sexes; the males have a bright red underside (Image 1), the females are beige-brown (Image 2); parts of the wings are distinctive white, white rump and tails; powerful black beak

Body length: Less than 20 cm (sparrow length)

Distribution: Coniferous and mixed forests with lots of undergrowth, copses, urban areas, parks and cemeteries