Bullfinchs in Finland
When the Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) is present in Finland, when it nests, and which native Finland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Finland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- May–July
- Size
- 15.5 cm, 21 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect bullfinchs in Finland
The Bullfinch lives in Finland all year round. Long, dark, snowy winters; feeding is a widespread national habit.
Boreal continental, forested and lake-strewn.
Nesting in Finland
In Finland the Bullfinch usually nests May–July. Nest site: flimsy twig cup in dense shrubs. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 14 days; chicks fledge after 15–17 days, and pairs raise 2 per year.
- The Bullfinch does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Finland plants for bullfinchs
Of the native plants we track for Finland, these 8 provide food the Bullfinch uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Orange-red berries are a magnet for Blackbirds, thrushes and Waxwings from August.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Hips persist into winter for thrushes and finches.
Translucent red berries in autumn.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.
Feeding in the garden
Buds, seeds and berries.
- Best foods: Sunflower hearts.
- Feeders: Open table.
- Shy; feeds near thick hedges and eats ash keys and bramble seed.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are bullfinchs in Finland all year?
Yes — the Bullfinch is resident in Finland all year.
When do bullfinchs nest in Finland?
Typically May–July. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 14 days, with 2 per year.
Which native plants help bullfinchs in Finland?
Hawthorn, Rowan, Blackthorn, Dog rose, Guelder rose, Bramble, Silver birch, Alder are native to Finland and provide food or cover the Bullfinch uses.
Bullfinchs in other countries
Other garden birds in Finland
Sources
- Bullfinch — RSPB bird guide
- Bullfinch — BTO BirdFacts
- Finnish Bird Atlas — Finnish Museum of Natural History
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.