Habitat
Forest edges, scrub, forest plantations, gardens and orchards.
Geographical spread
Britain, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany,
Sweden, Finland and Azores.
Status
Red-listed by the RSPB and the Nature Conservancy Council in Britain.
Size
14.5-16.5cm, wing-span 22-29 cm.
Average life expectancy
Oldest ringed bird 17 years and 6 months (Rydzewski 1978).
Normal diet
Seeds of fleshy fruits and herbs, buds and shoots, also eats invertebrates
particularly when young.
Normal lifestyle
Sedentary to migratory, but chiefly winters within its breeding range. In Britain
mostly sedentary, with a very similar winter and summer distribution. The breeding season in
Britain starts mainly in early May and continues until the end of June. May lay up to 3 clutches
a year but that is pretty expectional. Lays a clutch of about 3 eggs.
Reasons for decline
In the last 25 years Bullfinches have declined by 76%. The reasons are
not fully understood but are probably similar as for the other British species mentioned.
Conservation projects
Covered by the 'Save Our Skylarks' campaign.
File last modified Thursday, October 3, 1996