Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Hawfinch is a finch of Europe and temperate Asia whose thick bill can crack hard seeds and fruit pits. It is an exceptionally rare visitor to the United States.

Appearance

Appearance: About 6.5–7 in (16.5–18 cm) long, it has a large head, a very thick bill, and a short tail. Brown plumage, a black mark around the bill, and white wing and tail tips help identify it.

Look-alikes

Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertina

Male Evening Grosbeaks (Hesperiphona vespertina) are yellow and black, with a bright yellow eyebrow and large white wing patches; females are mostly gray. A Hawfinch is brown with a dark mark around the bill and a white tail tip.

Why they get mixed upBoth are stocky finches with oversized bills.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Woodlands
Parks with mature trees
Range: It breeds across Europe and temperate Asia. In the United States, it has appeared only as a rare stray in Alaska, especially on western islands.

Behavior

Diet: It breaks open seeds and fruit pits with its powerful bill.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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