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Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Least Concern
Longueur
18,0 cm
Envergure
32,0 cm
Poids
55,0 g
Famille
Fringillidae
Ordre
Passeriformes

À propos

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.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Body Length 18,0 cm 7.1 in
Envergure 32,0 cm 12.6 in
Poids 55,0 g 1.94 oz

Identification

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.

Bec

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

Habitat & Range

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

Répartition géographique

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

Diet & Feeding

Seeds and kernels, especially from cherries, olives, elms, and hornbeams. The bill exerts a force of over 50 kg to crack hard seeds.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Comportement et reproduction

Nidification

Nest type: CP. Incubation: 11-13 days. Fledging: 12-13 days.

Taille de la couvée

3-5

Son

Chant

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.

Taxonomie

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordre Passeriformes (Songbirds)
Famille Fringillidae (Finches)
Genus Coccothraustes
Espèces Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Names in Other Languages

Language Name
German Kernbeißer
Spanish Picogordo

Distribution

Hawfinch has been recorded in 5 countries.

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Présent Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Hawfinch eat?
Seeds and kernels, especially from cherries, olives, elms, and hornbeams. The bill exerts a force of over 50 kg to crack hard seeds.
Where does the Hawfinch live?
Deciduous and mixed woodland, orchards, parks, and large gardens with mature fruiting trees.
Is the Hawfinch endangered?
The Hawfinch has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Hawfinch nest?
Nest type: CP. Incubation: 11-13 days. Fledging: 12-13 days.
What does the Hawfinch sound like?
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.
How big is the Hawfinch?
The Hawfinch has a body length of 18.0 cm, wingspan of 32.0 cm, weight of 55.0 g.
What order and family does the Hawfinch belong to?
The Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) belongs to the order Passeriformes and the family Fringillidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Fringillidae family

Comparer

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