The bright red underparts of a male Bullfinch can provide a rare splash of colour on a grey winter's day but their habit of destroying fruit-tree buds means they are not universally popular. Bullfinches are big, fat finches which can be most easily identified by their neat, jet black caps or their obvious square white rumps, as if the base of the tail has been wrapped in white bandage. Females are browner than males, lacking the red front and grey back. Juveniles lack the black cap but can still be told by their fat, bull-necked appearance and short but very deep black bill, as well as the conclusive white rump.

Breeds and winters in orchards, parks, woodlands and scrub.

A common although declining bird which is absent from the Northern Isles and parts of northern Scotland. Mainly sedentary, although birds of the northern race P.p.pyrrhula are usually recorded annually.

Widespread and numerous in most of Europe although they tend to be quiet and rather shy birds which can be easily overlooked.

©BirdGuides 1999