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The bullfinch is surely the most frequently seen bird in picture postcards for Christmas and New Year from the previous century.

 

In the abundance of snow this year they are often seen at bird feeders where some bright-coloured male plays king of the castle; but he is tender towards the female bird: the pair bond is there in winter too.

 

In a good winter for birds their number may be up to a quarter of a million birds.

 

The crown of adult birds is black; they have black wings with a broad white band and a white rump area. Only the male has the red cheeks, breast and throat, the female has pinkish-brown cheeks and breast; the back plumage is grey, a little darker for the male.