I have just discovered that there has already been a lot of Bullfinch chat, however I cannot see the answer to my question- do bullfinches mate for life? I am lucky enough to have a pair coming regularly to my feeder (I live five miles from the centre of Birmingham) They are still coming together every day. I have not seen any juveniles though.
isn't wild wonderful
Perhaps my bullfinch keeps going for a fly! I don't know what happens if one dies I suppose they do look for another mate. I have only every had one pair at a time say in and around my garden only when they are on the fruit trees do you seem to see a group of them so if you have a pair then it is quite likely they have been together a while.
My husband tells me when he was younger and stayed with an Aunt in Kent, the cherry tree farmers used to dread the arrival of the bullfinch, who would arrive in great numbers and could strip a tree of cherries in no time.
Sorry Brenda - I can't help it, that conjures up a picture in the mind of masses of bullfinches in cherry pickers!
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Oh dear Squirrel, you have now got to write an illustrated story of bullfinches and ----------
Very amusing though. Plenty of cherry tree farms around here ( all covered in nets) but I will never look at them now without thinking of your cherry pickers !!!!
Bullfinches differ markedly in many social aspects from other finch species, showing some resemblence to Hawfinch. They are persistent with there amourous behaviour throughout the year and pairs tend to remain loyal to each other for at least the duration of the breeding season. "Some" pairs are also seen together in winter, apparently faithful to each other for sucessive breeding seasons arghh
Breeding pairs tend to be solitary but have no obvious territory with song being used for pairing up and contact. Pairing takes place in small flocks from which pairs then seperate :)
LS
Fascinating wee birds, gorgeous in both appearance and sound. Never had the pleasure of seeing or hearing one in the flesh though.
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