Birds
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustes · Botgros
A big-headed finch with a massive bill that can crack cherry stones.
At a glance
- Status in Romania
- Resident
- Habitat
- Forest
- Activity
- Morning · Daytime
- Diet
- Mainly seeds, buds and flowers; hornbeam seeds are important, and it cracks hard stones such as cherry pits.
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Photography difficulty
- Difficult
Photography Guide
Practical starting points based on the species’ behaviour and habitat, not fixed rules.
- Where and how to look
- Hornbeam and oak woods; often perched quietly in treetops.
- Best time / activity
- Morning · Daytime
- Photography difficulty
- Difficult
- Ethics
- Keep away from nests, do not use playback in the breeding season, and let the bird decide how close it comes.
Identification
Stocky warm-brown finch with a huge conical bill, black bib, grey nape and bold white wing bars.
Habitat
Woodland, especially deciduous with hornbeam mixed with oak; sometimes the lower parts of mixed forest with conifers.
Approximate range in Romania
Diet
Mainly seeds, buds and flowers; hornbeam seeds are important, and it cracks hard stones such as cherry pits.
Behaviour
Makes wide movements in winter depending on food; nests alone or in small groups.
Seasonality in Romania
Breeds in Romania and is resident, making wide movements in winter depending on food.
- JanPresent
- FebPresent
- MarPresent
- AprPresent
- MayPresent
- JunPresent
- JulPresent
- AugPresent
- SepPresent
- OctPresent
- NovPresent
- DecPresent
Source-verified months inform the seasonal filters. Local timing can vary. Unconfirmed months do not imply absence. * Event timing retained from the earlier entry, not yet source-verified.
Breeding
Breeding starts in late March; usually 3–5 eggs incubated by the female for 11–13 days.