He is a true joy, this wonderful bullfinch. He is perhaps our most brightly coloured bird here in southern England and he is probably my favourite along with his much more somberly coloured mate.
We have several who visit our bird feeders every day. Sometimes in the winter there are as many as six or eight at a time. I believe they mate for life and certainly seem to be loyal to their partners, usually visiting in pairs. The bird books describe them as shy birds but here they seem fearless and frequent in their visits.
I can't claim credit for this excellent photo. It was taken by a friend visiting for the weekend and bringing his telephoto lens and superior expertise. Thank you Austin.
Beautiful birds we don't see them round here.
ReplyDeleteWe have never had bullfinches in our garden before we came here to live. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it is because my husband feeds them large quantities of sunflower hearts or because our garden backs onto fields. Whatever it is, we now almost never have a day without a visit from the bullfinches.
DeleteI have never seen one of these bull finches ... but would love to have one visit my backyard ... he's gorgeous !
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed very striking. There are two (a male and a female) on the feeders as I type this reply.
DeleteIt's mating time here, too ... was almost accosted by an angry Canada Goose ... on the street in the middle of downtown !! He thought everyone/everything was a threat and he swooped down off the roof right at me as I stepped out of the art store !!!
DeleteThe object of his desire was up on the roof above me completely ignoring him ;)
I'd much rather have mating bullfinches around me !
un oiseau coloré et avec une certaine bonhomie...magnifique photo!
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