Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Aves › Passeriformes › Fringillidae › Coccothraustes
Conservation status: least_concern
The hawfinch is a passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is the only extant species placed in the genus Coccothraustes. Its closest living relatives are the genus Eophona of East Asia, and Hesperiphona of Central and North America.
How To Identify
The bird has an olive-green body plumage with notable reddish tones on the tail feathers, complemented by yellowish markings around its bright eye.
Habitat
It inhabits open woodlands, orchards, gardens, and parks across temperate regions of Europe and Asia, favoring areas with scattered trees and seed-bearing plants.
Behaviour
Hawfinches are often shy and elusive, feeding quietly in small flocks and frequently departing for flight with a distinctive sharp, explosive call.
Native Range
The hawfinch breeds across Europe and temperate Asia (Palearctic).
Did You Know?
Hawfinches possess one of the strongest beaks relative to body size of any songbird, capable of cracking cherry stones and hard seeds that other birds cannot break open. This remarkable bite force allows them to exploit food sources unavailable to competitors.
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