# Hawfinch (*Coccothraustes coccothraustes*) The Hawfinch is a colorful bird with a big beak that helps it crack open hard seeds. It has a lovely song and can be found in forests and gardens. Watch for its bright orange and black feathers! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Hawfinch](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Coccothraustes_coccothraustes_1_%28Marek_Szczepanek%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Marek Szczepanek, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coccothraustes_coccothraustes_1_%28Marek_Szczepanek%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Hawfinch is a stocky, large-headed bird with a massive, cone-shaped bill. It has a warm orange-brown head, grey nape, and striking dark blue primary feathers with a distinct white wing patch. Its short tail is dark with white tips. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Fringillidae - **Genus:** Coccothraustes ## Interesting facts - Their powerful jaws can exert a force of over 50 kilograms to crack seeds! - They cleverly strip the fruit flesh off to reach the nutritious, hard seeds inside. - You might hear a distinct 'crack!' sound from its beak when it's eating tough fruit pits. - Young Hawfinches have spotted chests, which helps them blend into dappled light! ## Special abilities - **Super Cracker Beak:** Hawfinch can crack open incredibly tough seeds and fruit pits because of its massive, powerful beak and jaw muscles. - **Jaw Powerhouse:** Hawfinch has incredibly strong jaw muscles that help them generate immense force, equivalent to up to 100 kg! - **Disappearing Act:** Hawfinch can hide very well in dense tree foliage because its subtly patterned plumage provides excellent camouflage. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 18 cm - **Wingspan:** 29-33 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.07 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-7 - **Incubation:** 11-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 2000 km ## Diet & Feeding These birds mostly eat tough seeds and fruits, with some insects. - **Primary Foods:** Hawthorn berries, Cherry pits, Hornbeam seeds, Beech nuts, Plum stones, Sunflower seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Sparrowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-sparrowhawk) (*Accipiter nisus*) — Adults and fledglings can be prey. - **Eaten by:** [Tawny Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tawny-owl) (*Strix aluco*) — Mainly preys on adults during the night. - **Depends on:** Common Hawthorn (*Crataegus monogyna*) — Relies heavily on its berries and seeds for food. - **Depends on:** Wild Cherry (*Prunus avium*) — Cracks open cherry stones for the nutritious kernel. - **Depends on:** [European Hornbeam](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hornbeam) (*Carpinus betulus*) — Feeds on the hard seeds found within its fruit. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch or catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hawfinch? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Hawfinch? 18 cm ### What is Hawfinch's wingspan? 29-33 cm ### How much does Hawfinch weigh? 0.05-0.07 kg ### How long does Hawfinch live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Hawfinch move? 55 km/h ### What does Hawfinch eat? These birds mostly eat tough seeds and fruits, with some insects. ### Where is Hawfinch usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park (Shinrin Park)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/musashi-kyuryo-shinrin-park) — Kanto, JP · Park - [Nanasawa Forest Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nanasawa-forest-park) — Kanagawa, JP · Park ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Hawfinch: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hawfinch)