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The UK's largest finch, it has a massive, powerful bill. Always shy and difficult to see, the hawfinch has become even more enigmatic in recent years with a decline in many of its traditional breeding areas. Numbers are hard to determine, however, as hawfinches are easily overlooked, especially in summer.
Where does it live?
Breeding
Nests in wooded areas, with a mixture of trees such as beech, hornbeam, wild cherry and oak.
Wintering
Remains in mixed or broadleaved woodland but also feeds in suitable areas nearby, such as tall hedgerows with scattered trees, mature avenues of limes, beeches and other trees and even some large gardens; hornbeam is a favourite tree.