bullfinch
noun
bull·finch
ˈbu̇l-ˌfinch 
also ˈbəl-
: a European finch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula of the family Fringillidae) having in the male rosy-red underparts, blue-gray back, and black cap, chin, tail, and wings
also
: any of several other finches
Examples of bullfinch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There was something veiled about the sound, like the whistle of the bullfinch of our woods.
—
Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Invasive mammals, like rodents, are known to feed on the eggs and fledglings of the Azores bullfinch.
—Anne Pinto-Rodrigues, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Sep. 2023
Visitors can head back to shore and set out in search of avian life, with the Azores bullfinch serving as one of the region’s most sought-after birds.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 27 May 2021
Cuban bullfinches aren’t native to the U.S., so this bird could only have been illegally imported or bred from an illegally imported parent.
—Karine Aigner, National Geographic, 25 July 2019
In 1949 Konrad Lorenz, an Austrian biologist, recommended fish, hamsters, bullfinches and starlings as excellent pets.
—The Economist, 22 June 2019
Two years later airport customs agents in Miami arrested a man with 16 bullfinches sewn into his pants.
—Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, 13 Apr. 2018
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Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Invasive mammals, like rodents, are known to feed on the eggs and fledglings of the Azores bullfinch.
—Anne Pinto-Rodrigues, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Sep. 2023
Visitors can head back to shore and set out in search of avian life, with the Azores bullfinch serving as one of the region’s most sought-after birds.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 27 May 2021
Cuban bullfinches aren’t native to the U.S., so this bird could only have been illegally imported or bred from an illegally imported parent.
—Karine Aigner, National Geographic, 25 July 2019
In 1949 Konrad Lorenz, an Austrian biologist, recommended fish, hamsters, bullfinches and starlings as excellent pets.
—The Economist, 22 June 2019
Two years later airport customs agents in Miami arrested a man with 16 bullfinches sewn into his pants.
—Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, 13 Apr. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Bullfinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullfinch. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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