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hawfinch (HAW-finch) - n., a Eurasian finch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) with a thick bill.
Most closely related to (and has a profile remarkably similar to, though with different plumage) the North American evening grosbeak. This was at best an only occasional bird in the British Isle until very recently -- it started nesting in southeast England only in the early 19th century -- which means despite the old-sounding name, it was coined in 1676 by ornithologist Francis Willughby from the haw of hawthorn + finch.
Thanks, Wikimedia!
---L.
Most closely related to (and has a profile remarkably similar to, though with different plumage) the North American evening grosbeak. This was at best an only occasional bird in the British Isle until very recently -- it started nesting in southeast England only in the early 19th century -- which means despite the old-sounding name, it was coined in 1676 by ornithologist Francis Willughby from the haw of hawthorn + finch.
Thanks, Wikimedia!
---L.
