Bullfinch, (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)

The male is unmistakable with his bright pinkish-red breast and cheeks, grey back, black cap and tail, and bright white rump. The flash of the rump in flight and the sad call note are usually the first signs of bullfinches being present. They feed voraciously of the buds of various trees in spring and were once a 'pest' of fruit crops. Recent declines place it on the Red List.

Both photographs were taken at Washington Wildfowl Centre near one of their observation hides.

The top image shows the slightly duskier coloured female bird as it was eating some seeds.

The bottom image shows off the full colours of the male bird. Very striking and