Hawfinch

Seen one? Add it to your free UK BirdedexHear its song and see the mapFree, no app download. Uncommon bird: +3 points when you log it.

Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Mature woodland (rare).
Diet: Hard seeds, cherry stones.
Best time to spot: Huge bill; shy canopy-dweller.

When to look

Resident in the UK, so it can be found year-round. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.

How rare is it?

The Hawfinch sits in our Uncommon tier for the UK: regular, but you usually need the right place or the right season. It is Red-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the highest level of concern in the UK.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Marsh TitUncommon · Mature deciduous woodland
• Spotted FlycatcherUncommon · Mature gardens
• Tawny OwlUncommon · Mature woodland
• Wood WarblerUncommon · Mature oak/beech woodland (summer)
• Black-and-white WarblerLegendary · Woodland (rare vagrant)
• Black-billed CuckooEpic · Woodland (very rare vagrant)

Kit that helps

Best bird food for UK gardens. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.