Bird guide · Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Bullfinch
What the bullfinch eats, where it lives, when it comes to feeders and how to recognise it – with sightings from across the UK.
- Season
- Year-round resident
- Eats
- seeds, sunflower hearts
- Feeds
- hopper, tray/platform
- Most common
- Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland
Food
What do bullfinches eat?
At feeders, bullfinches take seeds, sunflower hearts.
Usually seen in pairs or family groups; its soft whistled call often gives it away.
Feeder that suits it
A tube or hopper feeder with sunflower seed or sunflower hearts.
Range
Where do bullfinches live?
Widespread across Britain and Ireland, densest in lowland wooded areas; Amber-listed. By share of all bird sightings, bullfinches are most common in Wales (0.5%).
Nations where bullfinches are most common
- Wales0.5%
- Northern Ireland0.5%
- Scotland0.5%
- England0.4%
Share of all bird sightings in each nation that are bullfinches, 2019–2024.
Season
Does the bullfinch migrate?
Year-round resident. Across the UK it is reported in every month; its share of bird sightings is highest in January.
Share of all bird sightings in the UK that are bullfinches, by month.
Identification
How to identify the bullfinch
Male: Pinkish-red breast and cheeks, grey back, black cap and tail and a bright white rump.
Female: Duller than male but with the same pattern.
On camera
Getting the bullfinch on a feeder camera
Any seed camera feeder works. Hang it near shrubs for cover, about five feet off the ground, with the lens facing away from direct sun.
Questions
Bullfinch: questions
What do bullfinches eat?
At feeders, seeds, sunflower hearts.
Do bullfinches migrate?
Year-round resident. Across the UK it is reported in every month; its share of bird sightings is highest in January.
Where do bullfinches live?
By share of all bird sightings, they are most common in Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England.
What does a female bullfinch look like?
Duller than male but with the same pattern.