Coccothraustes coccothraustes
by Juan Carlos Ballesteros
Title
Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Artist
Juan Carlos Ballesteros
Medium
Photograph - Photographs
Description
The hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) is a passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. Its closest living relatives are the evening grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertinus) from North America and the hooded grosbeak (Hesperiphona abeillei) from Central America especially Mexico.
This bird breeds across Europe and temperate Asia. It is mainly resident in Europe, but many Asian birds migrate further south in the winter. It is a rare vagrant to the western islands of Alaska.
Deciduous or mixed woodland, including parkland, with large trees - especially hornbeam - is favoured for breeding,. The hawfinch builds its nest in a bush or tree, and lays 2-7 eggs. The food is mainly seeds and fruit kernels, especially those of cherries, which it cracks with its powerful bill. This large finch species is usually seen in a pair or small group.
The 16.5.18 cm long hawfinch is a bulky bull-headed bird, which appears very short-tailed in flight. Its head is orange-brown with a black eyestripe and bib, and a massive bill, which is black in summer but paler in winter. The upper parts are dark brown and the underparts orange.
The white wing bars and tail tip are striking in flight. The sexes are similar. The call is a hard chick. The song of this unobtrusive bird is quiet and mumbled. (WP)
Uploaded
October 25th, 2016
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Comments (12)
Barbie Corbett-Newmin
Congratulations! It is my great pleasure to feature your wonderful photo on the home page of the rising star photography group The 200 Club You are invited to post it in the group's Feature Archives 2020 discussion thread for posterity or any other thread that fits!
Morris Finkelstein
Beautiful portrait photo Juan Carlos! Congratulations on the selection of your photo by Barbie for feature in The 200 Club! F/L
Kay Brewer
Congratulations on your William's Weekly Wowie for your photograph! Wild Birds of the World group. LF
William Tasker
Juan Carlos, you won a WOWIE! This awesome image has been chosen as one of the William's Wows found in the discussions tab of the group, Wild Birds Of The World.
William Tasker
Incredible light and detail and nice use of thirds. It was a pleasure to view this wonderful and named bird image that is now exhibited among the homepage features for the group, Wild Birds Of The World - A Nature Photography Group. L/F