Hawfinch vs Red Siskin
Coccothraustes coccothraustes compared with Spinus cucullatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Hawfinch | Red Siskin |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coccothraustes coccothraustes | Spinus cucullatus |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae | Fringillidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | 18.0 cm (7.1 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 32.0 cm (12.6 in) | 11.6 cm (4.6 in) |
| Weight | 55.0 g (1.94 oz) | 9.8 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Seeds and kernels, especially from cherries, olives, elms, and hornbeams. The bill exerts a force … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 | 3-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Hawfinch
Deciduous and mixed woodland, orchards, parks, and large gardens with mature fruiting trees.
Song & Call Comparison
Hawfinch
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.
Red Siskin
Geographic Range & Migration
Hawfinch
Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia. Partially migratory, with northern populations moving south in winter.
Red Siskin
Conservation Status
Hawfinch
Red Siskin
How to Tell Them Apart
Hawfinch
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.
Enormously powerful, conical, pale bill capable of cracking cherry and olive stones
Red Siskin
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.