Hawfinch
Scientific Name: Coccothraustes coccothraustesMaltese Name: Taz-Zebbug
Family: Finches (Fringillidae)
Occurence: Scarce
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Hawfinch is one of the larger,heavier finches; large-headed, big-billed and short tailed. It perches upright in treetops, looking bold. It has blue-black on wings and a white wingbar which shows in flight. Its bill is very strong and sharp pointed as it uses it to break large seeds to feed. It breeds in open-woodland, preferibally with oak trees.
Status:
Scarce Migrant, mostly seen in Autumn when they sometimes occur in influxes. Used to be widley trapped in the past, and some are still trapped illegaly.
When to See:
Mostly seen in October and November. Singles occasionally recorded in March.
Where to See:
Prefers open woodland. In Malta it is rarely seen perched as mostly are seen passing by in small flocks. Good places are Comino and Buskett in October/November.
Photographs:
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Adult Hawfinch, 27th March 2010, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
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Adult Hawfinch, 14th October 1983, Xemxija |
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