Species Guide – Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)
APPEARANCE
The Hawfinch is the largest of the finch family of birds in the U.K. They have a large bill which they can use to crack into hard-stoned fruit. Their prominent feather coloring is orange-brown with white wing bars and tail tips.
Diet
The preferred diet is seeds, buds, and hard-stoned fruit such as plums and cherries. They will also occasionally feed on insects.
Did You Know? The Hawfinch not only has a large beak, but they also have powerful jaw muscles. They can exert a force of up to 471 Newtons.
HABITAT
The Hawfinch prefers to nest in mature woodlands. Consequently, the gradual loss of habitat in the U.K. means that you will be very lucky indeed to see a Hawfinch, as there are estimated to only be around 500 breeding pairs remaining; albeit numbers are bolstered during the winter month; with an influx of thousands of Hawfinches from Northern Europe.
Note that this map is for a rough illustration of animal distribution across the UK1, whereby light green indicates established populations.
Behavior
Hawfinches are quite shy birds, which is another reason they are difficult to spot. If you do see one, then it is likely there is another nearby; as they typically travel in pairs. Monogamous in nature, the male courts the female with an elaborate routine; touching bills with the female and then bowing.
Hawfinch Call:
Arjun Dutta, xeno-canto.org
The male selects a nest sight high in the tree canopy, and starts to build a rough nest; which the female finishes with twigs, lichen and grass. The female lays a clutch of 4-5 eggs which are incubated for up to two weeks by the female. Both parents feed the youngsters which are fully fledged after a further 2 weeks.
STATS
| Wing Length2 | 99 to 111 mm |
| Body Weight3 | 45.4 to 60.0 grams |
| Longevity | The annual survival rate is unknown, but ringed birds have been recorded at up to 10 years |
NATURAL PREDATORS
Hawfinches are preyed upon by Goshawks, Sparrowhawks, & Jays. The non-native Grey-Squirrel has also become a threat to the Hawfinch.
Conservation Status
With so few breeding birds left in the British Isles, they are classified as a Red List species. Fortunately, the global status is Least Concern.
U.K.
Conservation Status
Global
Conservation Status
References
- Population data based on BTO assessment
- Featherbase
- RSPB
