Hawfinch

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The hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) is a large finch and the only living species in its genus. It has a chunky head, short tail, and a massive conical bill that is black in summer and paler in winter. The head is orange-brown with a black eye-stripe and bib, the back is dark brown, and the underparts are orange. It’s easy to spot in flight by white wing bars and a white tip on the tail.

Where it lives and moves
The hawfinch breeds across Europe and temperate Asia. It is mostly resident in Europe, but some birds from Asia migrate south in winter. It prefers deciduous or mixed woodlands with big trees, especially hornbeams, and can also be found in parks and gardens. It sometimes visits pine woods and areas with water. Very rarely, it appears as a vagrant in faraway places like Alaska.

What it eats
This bird mainly eats hard seeds and fruit kernels, especially those of cherries and plums, which it can crack with its strong bill. It also eats berries, pine seeds, sprouts, and occasionally insects.

Breeding and nesting
The hawfinch nests high in a tree or bush. The male often chooses the nest site and begins building, while the female finishes it and lays 4–5 eggs. Incubation lasts about 11–13 days, and both parents feed the chicks, who fledge after about 12–14 days and become independent a month later. Most pairs raise one brood each year. A notable trait is that the parents keep the nest clean by removing the nestlings’ droppings.

Social behavior
Hawfinches are usually seen in pairs or small groups and can be shy, spending much of the day high in trees. They can be aggressive when feeding and defending food or space.

Population and conservation
The hawfinch is listed as Least Concern globally. In Europe it is estimated there are between about 7 and 13 million individuals, with the population in the United Kingdom having declined sharply from 1968 to 2011. Despite regional declines, the species overall remains widespread and relatively common, with several subspecies recognized.