Attracting Bullfinches

This bird is so beautiful he could have been invented by Van Gogh.  The male has a bright pink breast, neat black head and grey, black and white on his wings and back. The female is more subtle but still stunning.  Bullfinches don’t show off their glamorous beauty – they are quiet, shy birds, but if they visit your garden you could catch of glimpse of them on (or sometimes under) bird tables where they will take Sunflower Hearts, pieces of Peanut that may have fallen from feeders, and other seeds.  They prefer dense planting and shelter, so make your garden Bullfinch friendly with thick shrubs and hedges.  Here in JAB's Shropshire garden we also listen out for their quiet whistling call and are frequently rewarded with a glimpse of family parties.

What do Bullfinches Eat?

Like all finches (and this bird has a proper finchy beak) Bullfinches are seed eaters so any mix with a good variety of seeds, plus Peanut Granules and Sunflower Hearts will keep them happy.  These are very shy birds and they are more likely to be seen in country gardens so you may have to be patient.  Their numbers have declined rapidly since the 1970s so a Bullfinch in your garden is a big tick!

Top 3 foods for Bullfinches:

• Sunflower Power      5 Star
• The Max Mix              4 Star
•  Eat-It-All                   3 Star