Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Interesting facts: The hawfinch has a distinctively large and powerful beak. It can even crack cherry stones using the cutting edges in the upper part of the beak and a correspondingly concave lower part of the beak. Apart from fruit stones and tree seeds, insects and caterpillars are also on the menu. In summer, the bird lives mostly hidden in tree crowns. In the winter half year, the “king of the finches” energetically stands up to the feed competitors at the feeding table.

Characteristics: Powerful conical beak, blue-grey mating colours, horn-coloured summer plumage; plumage distinctively colourful with light wing bars and characteristic, metallic blue shiny flight feathers; tail short and round with a distinctive broad white tip

Body length: Less than 20 cm (sparrow length)

Distribution: Crown area of deciduous, mixed and lowland forests, also parks and gardens