Passeriformes / Fringillidae / Pyrrhula
Eurasian Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhula · 红腹灰雀
Introduction
A small passerine bird in the finch family, Fringillidae. It breeds across Europe and temperate Asia, favoring mixed woodland with conifers, parkland, and gardens. Mainly resident, though northern populations migrate south in winter. Distinctive for its bulky build, short thick black bill, and sexual dimorphism in plumage color.
Description
Bulky, bull-headed bird with grey upper parts, black flight feathers, and a short thick black bill. Adults have a black cap and face, while juveniles are greyish-brown. A white rump and wing bars are striking in flight. Adult males feature rich red chest and underparts; females and young birds have grey-buff feathers instead. Moults between July and October, with males retaining bright plumage rather than adopting duller autumn colors.
Identification
Key marks include the bulky shape, black cap and bill, white rump, and wing bars visible in flight. Sexes differ: males have red underparts, while females and juveniles are grey-buff. Vocalizations include fluted whistles described as mournful, audible only at close range. The usual call is a quiet, low, melancholy whistled 'peeu' or 'pew'. Song consists of weak, scratchy warbling alternating with soft whistles.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds across Europe and temperate Asia. Ten subspecies are recognized, ranging from the British Isles and Western Europe to central Siberia, northeast China, Japan, and Sakhalin. Habitat includes mixed woodland with conifers, parkland, and gardens. Mainly resident, but many northern birds migrate further south in winter.
Behavior & Ecology
Usually seen as a pair or family group; does not form large flocks outside the breeding season. Builds nests in bushes (preferably over four meters tall and wide), mature scrub, or trees. Lays four to seven pale blue eggs mottled with red-brown. Produces two or three broods per season from early May to mid-July. Diet consists mainly of seeds and buds of fruit trees, ash, and hawthorn; adults feed chicks invertebrates. Preferred garden foods include kale, quinoa, and millet.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Pyrrhula
Subspecies (10)
-
Pyrrhula pyrrhula caspica
northeastern and northern Iran
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
