Fun Hawfinch Facts For Kids

The scientific name of the hawfinch is Coccothraustes coccothraustes, which is a common migratory bird. A resident of Europe, this bird is also found in parts of North America and Asia. Hawfinches are considered the largest finch in the UK and are Red listed by the UK Conservation status. They inhabit mixed woodlands, coniferous, and deciduous forests. These birds are shy and secretive in nature. They eat different types of seeds, buds, and fruits while occasionally preying on small invertebrates and their larvae.

These finches are well known for their massive bill. Hawfinches are quite difficult to spot, especially in the summers. During the winter season, one might spot this finch species either in small groups or in solitary. They show an impressive courtship display during their breeding season. While males and females look similar in appearance, females have a lighter body coloration than the male species. Although the global population of hawfinches is not threatened at the moment, they are suffering from habitat loss due to mass deforestation in the UK, and they are quite rarely spotted there. Keep on reading to get more fascinated by the hawfinch facts.

If you liked reading this article, why not read about northern shrike and sun parakeet, here on Kidadl?

What type of animal is a hawfinch?

A hawfinch is a bird of the Fringillidae family and is the largest finch in the UK.

What class of animal does a hawfinch belong to?

The hawfinch (Coccothraustes) belongs to the class Aves, just like the woodpecker and the parrot.

How many hawfinches are there in the world?

The average population of the hawfinch species, that are spotted in winter, is about 10,000-15,000, and about 500–1000 pairs migrate to the UK during their breeding season.

Where does a hawfinch live?

These birds range in England, parts of Europe, and Asia. They might even be spotted in Alaska. The hawfinch is a resident bird in England and is often seen in groups in the south and eastern parts of England. Some of the finches are also common residents of the northeast parts and also in Wales and Scotland.

What is a hawfinch's habitat?

The hawfinch inhabits throughout the deciduous forests of the north and south of England. This bird species prefers mixed woodlands and dense forests with scattered trees of different kinds. They build their nests on the upper parts of the trees where they can have easy access to the sky. These finches search for cherry, sycamore, holly, hornbeam, elm, yew, and hawthorn plants and feed on their seeds.

Who does the hawfinch live with?

The hawfinch is seen in small groups of their species. However, they can also be spotted solitary on the ground, foraging for food.

How long does a hawfinch live?

Although the exact life expectancy of the hawfinch is unknown, finches belonging to the same Fringillidae family have a lifespan of 5-11 years in the wild and about 20 years in captivity.

How do they reproduce?

These finches reproduce by laying about three to five eggs in their nests that are built together by both partners. They lay eggs early in the morning between April and June. These birds showcase an array of courtship displays during the breeding season. Their nests are generally made of twigs, grass, barks, moss, lichens, and other plant fibers found in the forest. The nest is usually untidy, bulky, and cup-shaped, which is usually placed 45.9 ft (14 m) above the ground. Their eggs are grayish-green or pale blue with blackish-brown spots. The hawfinch female incubates the eggs for about 11-13 days. Both the parents look after their chicks and feed them till they fledge.

What is their conservation status?

Coccothraustes, the hawfinch, is listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Although their population is globally not threatened, increased forest clearings by humans have contributed to their habitat loss to a great extent. Furthermore, several birds of prey impose a major threat to the population of this species.

What does the hawfinch look like?

The hawfinch has an orange white body, with brown underparts. It has a conical bill, which is capable to exert tremendous pressure, along with the jaw. The head of these finches is orangish brown. Just below the head region lies a white-collar region that beautifully defines the upper body part. The upper part also bears a patch of blue plumage near the tail. The hawfinch beak changes color according to the seasons. In the summer month of April, the bill is black, while in the winter, the bill turns into a pale grayish-blue shade. The underparts are a mix of orange and white. Their legs are pinkish brown. The tail of this bird is very short and in flight, along with its white wings, it appears to be strikingly beautiful.

How cute are they?

The hawfinch is a very cute bird species because of its colorful plumage and massive bill. Hawfinch images are quite appealing, however, being elusive, they are quite difficult to capture on camera.

How do they communicate?

They communicate by their soft whistling calls. This bird species is also known for its mild toned song, which is mostly heard during breeding season as well as in the summer month of April. The song consists of a mix of intermittent notes.

How big is a hawfinch?

This bird is 6.3-7.1 in (16-18 cm) in length, which is comparable with its closest relative, the evening grosbeak of North America.

How fast can a hawfinch fly?

The finches of the bird family Fringillidae are very swift, owing to their small body and broad wingspan. However, there's no exact data on how fast or to what height a hawfinch flies.

How much does a hawfinch weigh?

This finch weighs about 1.6-2.5 oz (46-72 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

There are no specific names given to male and female birds in the hawfinch species.

What would you call a baby hawfinch?

A baby hawfinch is called a chick.

What do they eat?

The food of these birds includes a mix of seeds, fruits, buds, and leaves. They search for different kinds of fruits, with cherry and plum stone seeds being their favorite. These birds also search for food on the ground. Apart from seeds, they also search and prey on smaller invertebrates and their larvae, especially in the breeding season at the end of summer.

Are they poisonous?

These birds are not poisonous and do not impose any threat to humans.

Would they make a good pet?

They would make great pets because of their fascinating plumage and friendly nature. Furthermore, they are easy to maintain. It is recommended to keep these birds in pairs to witness their remarkable courtship displays.

Did you know...

These finches are often regarded as the European grosbeak, because their closest relatives are the evening grosbeak and the hooded grosbeak.

Groups of finches are collectively called a charm or a company.

Are hawfinches rare?

They are considered to be rare in the UK because of habitat loss.

Are they predators?

Hawfinches typically prey on a variety of smalls insects and their larvae.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our glossy ibis facts and green woodpecker facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable birds on a bench coloring pages.