Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) Science Article 1
abstract
During October-April of 1989-2003 Imade observations on size and sexual composition of Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula flocks (ringed and unringed birds), recorded interactions betweenmembers and estimated the body condition of birds observed in amixed forest in central Norway. The flock size did not change with ambient temperature and ranged from two to seven with a mean of 4.1 in October-January and 2.3 in February-April. During March-April, 28 of 29 flocks consisted of onemale and one female. Seventeen flocks followed over 6-17 days in November-December did not change in size or sexual composition. The adult sex ratio was equal. In flocks consisting of two, four or six birds, 88-97% consisted of equal numbers ofmales and females. Few birds stayed in the area throughout the winter. One colour-ringed mated pair breeding in the area was observed during two winters. Two ringed females, each observed in the company of an unringedmale, were repeatedly observed during two subsequent winters. Females were socially dominant over males. Adult and juvenile females had a better body condition (bodymass to wing length ratio) than juvenile males, but not better than that of adult males. The body condition of the birds increased with decreasing ambient temperature.
O. Hogstad, Ornis Fennica 83:131-138. 2006