Small bird (about 15 cm or 6 in), unmistakable due to the colour of its plumage. Ash grey back and dark coloured beret on the head that projects to a black bill. Red underparts, breast, throat and cheeks. Tail and wings of black colour. White wing band and rump. Similar females but of more muted tones, with ocher breast, throat, belly and cheeks.
Woodland environments
Woodland species with preference for mixed wet and fresh mountain forests. Present in masses of deciduous hardwoods such as holm, beech and oak groves. Also in riverside forests and open arboreal formations of fruit trees or shrubby hedges.
Wintering bird in the province. The Eurasian Bullfinch makes two to three layings per year between April and May, from 4 to 6 eggs each. Nest in trees. Omnivore: it consumes seeds, fruits and insects in summer.
It is not a frequent bird in Malaga. Specimens have been observed in the upper course and source of the Guadalhorce river, Juanar area (Sierra Blanca), Montes de Málaga and the forests of the Gaduares or Guadares (Montejaque) river. In the Great Path it is present in stage 10.
The Latin name of the bullfinch (Pyrrhula) comes from the Greek and literally means "worm-eater". Aristotle assigned this name to a small, reddish-coloured bird that ate these invertebrates on the ground and thought that it was probably a robin.
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