Eurasian bullfinch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eurasian bullfinch |
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| Male in Lancashire, UK | |
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| Female in Lancashire, UK | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pyrrhula
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| Species: |
pyrrhula
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| Range of P. pyrrhula Breeding Resident Non-breeding | |
| Synonyms | |
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Loxia pyrrhula Linnaeus, 1758 |
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The Eurasian bullfinch is a small, colorful bird that belongs to the finch family. You might also hear it called the common bullfinch or just bullfinch. In many parts of Europe, it's simply known as the bullfinch because it was the first bird to be given this name.
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About the Bullfinch
The Eurasian bullfinch has a special scientific name, Pyrrhula pyrrhula. This name helps scientists around the world know exactly which bird they are talking about. The word pyrrhula comes from an old Greek word. It refers to a flame-colored bird.
Different Kinds of Bullfinches
Just like people can come from different places, there are different types of Eurasian bullfinches. Scientists call these "subspecies." They look a bit different depending on where they live. Here are some of them:
- P. p. pileata: Found in the British Isles.
- P. p. pyrrhula: Lives across northern, central, and eastern Europe, all the way to central Siberia.
- P. p. europaea: Found in western Europe.
- P. p. iberiae: Lives in southwest France and the northern part of Spain.
- P. p. rossikowi: Found in northeast Turkey and the Caucasus mountains.
- P. p. cineracea (also called the Baikal bullfinch): Lives from west Siberia to northeast China.
- P. p. caspica: Found in Azerbaijan and northern Iran.
- P. p. cassinii: Lives in eastern Siberia.
- P. p. griseiventris: Found on the Kuril Islands and in northern Japan.
- P. p. rosacea: Lives on Sakhalin, an island north of Japan.
There's another bird, the Azores bullfinch, that used to be thought of as a type of Eurasian bullfinch. But now, scientists know it's a completely separate species!
What Does a Bullfinch Look Like?
The Eurasian bullfinch is a sturdy bird with a strong, thick beak. Its upper body is grey. Its wings and short, thick beak are black. Adult bullfinches have a black cap and face. Young birds have a greyish-brown cap instead. When they fly, you can easily see their white rump and white bars on their wings.
Male and female bullfinches look different. The adult male has bright red feathers on its belly. Females and young birds have grey-buff (a mix of grey and light brown) feathers on their undersides. Bullfinches change their feathers between July and October.
Bullfinch Sounds
This bird is usually quiet and not easily noticed. Its song includes soft, flute-like whistles. Many people describe its call as a sad or "mournful" sound, like a quiet "peeu" or "pew." You can only hear their full song if you are very close to them. It's a soft, scratchy warbling sound mixed with gentle whistles. Interestingly, some bullfinches that are raised by humans can even be taught to sing specific melodies!
Where Do Bullfinches Live?
Eurasian bullfinches live and breed across Europe and the milder parts of Asia. Most of these birds stay in the same area all year. However, some bullfinches from colder northern regions will migrate south for the winter to find warmer places and more food.
They like to make their homes in mixed woodlands, especially those with some conifer trees. You can also find them in parks and gardens.
Bullfinch Behavior
Unlike some birds that gather in huge groups, Eurasian bullfinches don't form large flocks when it's not breeding season. You'll usually see them in pairs or small family groups.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Bullfinches build their nests in bushes or trees. They prefer bushes that are taller than four meters (about 13 feet) and wide. They lay four to seven pale blue eggs. These eggs often have small red-brown spots.
A female bullfinch can have two or three groups of babies (called "broods") each year. This happens from early May to mid-July. The chances of their nests being successful get better as the summer goes on, from spring to late summer.
What Do Bullfinches Eat?
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Eurasian bullfinches mainly eat seeds and the buds of fruit trees. Because they eat fruit buds, they can sometimes be a problem for farmers who grow fruit. In England, a long time ago, people even used to pay a reward for every bullfinch that was killed to protect fruit trees.
In autumn and early winter, they especially like to eat seeds from ash trees and hawthorn bushes. If special plants are grown for them, they prefer kale, quinoa, and millet. They often look for these foods near tall hedges or in woodlands.
Images for kids
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Bullfinches on ash
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Male with young bird in Austria
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Young male in England
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Eggs of P. pyrrhula europoea MHNT
