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
Ask Aves Birding Tours to create a custom tour
for you to see these beautiful birds.