Bullfinches

Bullfinches are quite secretive birds that are rarely seen; once spotted, however, they are unmistakable. Despite being only 15 cm or so in length, fairly standard for a finch, they look considerably larger due to their stocky, bullish shape. Adult males have a dark black cap, grey backs, black tails, white rump and, most strikingly, a bright reddish pink breast. In adult females the breast is a duller more plum-like colour which is less eye-catching but equally attractive.

Bullfinches can be found all over the UK, although they are most concentrated in the south east. They spend most of their time well-hidden in dense undergrowth in woodlands, but will sometimes venture into gardens, especially those which are large and contain plenty of shrubs. They are birds that like company, and will normally be found in a pair, or in a family group in the colder months. Their diet consists mainly of buds, berries and seeds, particularly those from the Ash tree. Unfortunately their penchant for the buds of fruit trees can make them hugely unpopular with orchard owners, who used to trap and kill hundreds of the birds. And on-form bullfinch can apparently destroy thirty buds per minute; it is unlikely to even eat all of these.

Bullfinches are not ones for flying great distances and rarely travel over 100 km in the UK. Their cousins in northern Europe are more adventurous, and often make migrations in search of food, but those here prefer to stay put, making use of garden seed feeders in times of scarcity. To breed, female bullfinches find concealed spots in bushes or small trees and build small, untidy nests from twigs, moss and fine roots. Into these they lay four to six greenish blue eggs which soon hatch into fledgelings that are looked after by both parents.

A female bullfinch seeing off the approach from a greenfinch on a snowy day in the garden.

Despite their reputation for shyness and secrecy, the family of bullfinches that have taken up residence in our garden this year are rather ballsy characters. Whereas most birds fly out to the feeder, hover there long enough to take a quick peck and then scarper, the bullfinches will quite happily sit on the feeder’s edge for extended periods of time, shooing off any other birds who try to get close. They are not at all easily spooked and give off a definite air of being 'in charge'... at least until something really big like a buzzard turns up!