Hawfinch vs Taiwan Bullfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustes compared with Pyrrhula owstoni

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Hawfinch Taiwan Bullfinch
Scientific Name Coccothraustes coccothraustes Pyrrhula owstoni
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Fringillidae Fringillidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Not Evaluated
Length 18.0 cm (7.1 in)
Wingspan 32.0 cm (12.6 in)
Weight 55.0 g (1.94 oz) 19.5 g (0.69 oz)
Diet Seeds and kernels, especially from cherries, olives, elms, and hornbeams. The bill exerts a force … --
Clutch Size 3-5 3
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Hawfinch 18.0 cm
Taiwan Bullfinch
Wingspan
Hawfinch 32.0 cm
Taiwan Bullfinch
Weight
Hawfinch 55.0 g
Taiwan Bullfinch 19.5 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Hawfinch only

None

Taiwan Bullfinch only

None

Hawfinch

Deciduous and mixed woodland, orchards, parks, and large gardens with mature fruiting trees.

Song & Call Comparison

Hawfinch

Song

A sharp, metallic 'tsick' call — the primary vocalization and often all that's heard. Song is a thin, reedy warble. Generally inconspicuous vocally despite its striking appearance.

Taiwan Bullfinch

Geographic Range & Migration

Hawfinch

Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia. Partially migratory, with northern populations moving south in winter.

Taiwan Bullfinch

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Hawfinch

Not Evaluated

Taiwan Bullfinch

How to Tell Them Apart

Hawfinch

Plumage

Orange-brown head with a black bib and eye stripe. Warm brown back, grey nape, and broad white wing bar. Massive head and bill give a top-heavy appearance.

Bill

Enormously powerful, conical, pale bill capable of cracking cherry and olive stones

Taiwan Bullfinch

About These Birds

Hawfinch

The hawfinch possesses the most powerful bill relative to body size of any European bird, capable of cracking cherry stones that require a force of 27-43 kg. Despite its distinctive appearance, it is famously shy and difficult to observe. The skull contains special adaptations to absorb the enormous forces generated during seed-cracking.

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