Hawfinch

The Hawfinch gives an impression of a solid, quiet, slightly secretive woodland companion. It has a heavy head and an exceptionally strong bill, and in flight the short tail and broad pale wing bars stand out.

It usually stays high in the canopy and prefers not to draw attention. Its voice is subdued, while the call is a hard, dry click that carries sharply.

You’re most likely to notice it in deciduous or mixed woods, old parks, gardens, and orchards with large trees. It feeds on kernels and seeds, adding insects in the warmer months; in Europe it is mostly resident, while some Asian populations move south for winter.