Volume 24, Plate XV / Ornithology (Birds)

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes vulgaris

The Hawfinch was long thought only a winter visitant but breeds locally in southern England, extremely shy, feeding on hornbeam seeds, haw kernels, plum stones, and green peas, its loose nest holding four to six olive green spotted eggs. The full plumaged male shews black around the eye and throat, pale chestnut crown and rump, a bluish grey nape collar, umber brown back, and purplish red underparts, with a stout bill turning blue in spring.