Hawfinchs in Switzerland
When the Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) is present in Switzerland, when it nests, and which native Switzerland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Switzerland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–June
- Size
- 18 cm, 55 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect hawfinchs in Switzerland
The Hawfinch lives in Switzerland all year round. Snowy winters in the mountains; milder on the Swiss plateau and around the lakes.
Temperate-continental in the plateau, Alpine in the mountains.
Nesting in Switzerland
In Switzerland the Hawfinch usually nests April–June. Nest site: cup high in trees. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days; chicks fledge after 12–14 days, and pairs raise 1 per year.
- The Hawfinch 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 Switzerland plants for hawfinchs
Of the native plants we track for Switzerland, these 8 provide food the Hawfinch 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
Cherry and hornbeam seeds cracked with enormous force.
- Best foods: Sunflower seed.
- Feeders: Open table.
- Shy and declining in the UK; best seen at established woodland sites.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are hawfinchs in Switzerland all year?
Yes — the Hawfinch is resident in Switzerland all year.
When do hawfinchs nest in Switzerland?
Typically April–June. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days, with 1 per year.
Which native plants help hawfinchs in Switzerland?
Hawthorn, Rowan, Holly, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Dog rose, Guelder rose are native to Switzerland and provide food or cover the Hawfinch uses.
Hawfinchs in other countries
Other garden birds in Switzerland
Sources
- Hawfinch — RSPB bird guide
- Hawfinch — BTO BirdFacts
- Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas — Swiss Ornithological Institute
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.