Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes

The largest finch in the UK, the Hawfinch has an over-sized, strong bill. Named after the berries of the hawthorn, the Hawfinch eats most seeds and berries, favouring tough hornbeam seeds. Its bill and bite are strong enough to open cherry and plum stones. Males have slightly brighter, more orange, plumage and females more muted autumn colours.

Hawfinches are native to temperate Eurasia. The small number of Hawfinch resident in the UK is boosted in winter by migrants from Europe. In 2017/2018 winter, there was a population explosion as exceptionally large numbers of migrants arrived seeking food. Asian Hawfinches tend to migrate south for the winter.