These birds are still to acquire the beautiful plumage of the adults, and OK they look a little drab in comparison, not helped by having soaked feathers as it had just been a heavy shower.
Bullfinches have become increasingly rare over the last few years due to persecution, following their unfortunate habit of stripping the buds off fruit trees in the Spring. We have witnessed this destructive behaviour on a mature apple tree opposite our house in February each year.
Ironically the picture (right) shows the young Bullfinch sat on our Apple Tree, presumably eyeing it up for next Spring's bud-feast!
