Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustes

>> GENERAL >>>>>

– medium-sized passerine, starling-sized
– diurnal migrant
– migrates singly or in small to medium rather dense flocks

>> VISUAL ID >>>>>

BIF108_MPU_8I8Z0757_130705_hawfin-F-AD_d_prignitz
Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, F AD
BIF0108, 05/07/2013, Prignitz-Telschow, Germany, Mathias Putze
-stout, dull grey-orange finch with large head and massive bill

BIF110_MPU_8I8Z0758_130705_hawfin-F-AD_d_prignitz
Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, F AD
BIF0110, 05/07/2013, Prignitz-Telschow, Germany, Mathias Putze
– the most striking feature is the white primary band
– on the upperwing a second pale wing band is formed by the pale greater coverts

BIF109_MPU_8I8Z0741_130705_hawfin-M-AD_d_prignitz
Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, M AD
BIF0109, 05/07/2013, Prignitz-Telschow, Germany, Mathias Putze
– conspicuous short, notched tail
– M overall slightly more colourful than F

BIF111_MPU_8I8Z0732_130705_hawfin-M-AD_d_prignitz
Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, M AD
BIF0111, 05/07/2013, Prignitz-Telschow, Germany, Mathias Putze
– rather pointed wings
– the tail shows a broad off-white terminal bar (broader in M)

BIF112_MPU_8I8Z0713_130705_hawfin-1CY_d_prignitz
Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, 1CY
BIF0112, 05/07/2013, Prignitz-Telschow, Germany, Mathias Putze
– JUV plumage (for a few month after fledging) duller, more yellowish


Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, 1CY
BIF0113, 05/07/2013, Prignitz-Telschow, Germany, Mathias Putze
– whitish belly with dark spots

BIF114_MPU_8I8Z0728_130705_hawfin-1CY_d_prignitz
Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, 1CY
BIF0114, 05/07/2013, Prignitz-Telschow, Germany, Mathias Putze


Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, AD M
BIF2797, 15/01/2018, Werbeliner See, Germany, Mathias Putze


Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, AD M
BIF2798, 15/01/2018, Werbeliner See, Germany, Mathias Putze


Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes
BIF3270, 11/11/2016, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Micha Heiß
– even at greater distance the pale primary window is a very good feature

>> ACOUSTIC ID >>>>>

– two different calls are frequently heard, a sharp, polyphonic TSII and a powerful, penetrating PIX
– the flight call TSII shows a striking variation over the whole distribution area but further research has to be done to describe stable call types
– as the song is a succession of call-like elements, it sometimes is recognised by birders as flight calls, thus individual variation is overrated


– overview –

– detail –
Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, calls during migration
BIF0156, 11/05/2009, Greifswalder Oie, Germany, Patrick Franke


Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, calls during migration
BIF3178, 11/05/2009, Greifswalder Oie, Germany, Patrick Franke


Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, flight calls
BIF3179, 16/03/2015, Werdau, Germany, Patrick Franke


Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, flight calls
BIF3180, 06/12/2016, Mainhardt, Germany, Patrick Franke


Hawfinch Coccothraustes c coccothraustes, flight calls
BIF3181, 24/05/2013, Chuluut Gol, Mongolia, Patrick Franke

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

Common Chaffinch
Brambling
European Greenfinch

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