New results from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
Garden Bird Feeding Survey shows that record numbers of Bullfinch are using
garden feeding stations.
New results reveal that the stunning and normally shy
Bullfinch is being spotted in unprecedented numbers at garden feeding stations,
suggesting that gardens appear to be particularly important for the species.
Their overall breeding population dropped sharply during the 1970s and 1980s,
and has remained at a similar level since. The same decline did not happen in
gardens, however, and since the mid-1990s the number of Bullfinches coming to
feeders has exhibited more than a sixfold increase.
Eurasian Bullfinch
The Bullfinch, Common Bullfinch or Eurasian Bullfinch - Pyrrhula pyrrhula - is known simply as Bullfinch
in the UK.
It is mainly resident, but many northern birds migrate further south in the
winter. They are found in mixed woodland with some conifers.
Description
They are stocky little birds and both sexes have black caps,
black bills, black wings and black tails with a white rump which is striking
during flight. Males have bright rose pink cheeks, belly and breast, and a
bright red nose. Females have a brown back and pinkish under parts and
juveniles look very similar to females but without the black cap. The shape of
their sturdy beaks is designed for mischievously picking buds from the trees.
Call
A low whistle “deu” which also forms the basis of feeble, creaky,
often tri-syllabic piping song.
Food
Bullfinches have a varied diet including seeds from trees,
weeds, insects, sunflower hearts, nuts, grain, berries and buds.
Breeding
It builds its nest in a bush, mature stands of scrub, or
tree. The nest is built by the female bullfinch from twigs, roots and moss in
thick bushes and conifers. Breeding season for bullfinches begins in April and
is usually in full swing by May/June. Sometimes they will produce three broods
each season with between 4 and 6 pale blue spotted eggs per clutch which
incubate for 12-14 days. During breeding season it’s unlikely you will spot a
bullfinch as they stay very concealed and close to their nesting area.
Bullfinches, unlike many other birds, remain faithful for life.
Conservation Status –Least Concern
As the bullfinch was not recognised as a species of
conservation concern until recently, very little conservation work has been
focused on it. It may have benefited from general measures such as the creation
and management of broadleaved woodland. Agri-environment schemes such as
Countryside Stewardship encourage sympathetic hedgerow and field margin
management that will help the bullfinch, as will the new Hedgerows Regulations.
The bullfinch is a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, the
plan aims to halt the decline by 2003 and promote a recovery of numbers.
Birdwatching
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