Bullfinchs in Scotland
When the Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) is present in Scotland, when it nests, and which native Scotland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Scotland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- May–July
- Size
- 15.5 cm, 21 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
- Delivery
- Perch Supply ships to the UK
When to expect bullfinchs in Scotland
The Bullfinch lives in Scotland all year round. Short days and regular snow inland; Scandinavian Bramblings, Fieldfares and Waxwings often arrive in numbers.
Cool maritime in the west, more continental and drier in the east; the Highlands are markedly colder.
Nesting in Scotland
In Scotland 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 Scotland plants for bullfinchs
Of the native plants we track for Scotland, 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.
Evergreen roosting cover and winter berries on female plants.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Hips persist into winter for thrushes and finches.
Translucent red berries in autumn.
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 Scotland all year?
Yes — the Bullfinch is resident in Scotland all year.
When do bullfinchs nest in Scotland?
Typically May–July. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 14 days, with 2 per year.
Which native plants help bullfinchs in Scotland?
Hawthorn, Rowan, Holly, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Dog rose, Guelder rose are native to Scotland and provide food or cover the Bullfinch uses.
Bullfinchs in other countries
Other garden birds in Scotland
Sources
- Bullfinch — RSPB bird guide
- Bullfinch — BTO BirdFacts
- Bird Atlas 2007–11 — British Trust for Ornithology
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.