The Eurasian Bullfinch is heavily built with a round body, a short stout bill and a conspicuous white rump visible at long range in flight.
Male - Underside: glowing carmine-red to orange-red breast and belly. - Head: a black "helmet" (crown, forehead, cheeks) with a blue-black sheen. - Back: blue-grey. - Wings: black-blue with a distinct white wing bar. - Rump: pure white — visible at long range in flight. - Bill: short, stout, all black.
Female The female has exactly the same pattern as the male — black helmet, white wing bar, white rump — but the breast is wine-red to pinkish-beige rather than red. The back is more yellow-brown. The white pattern is the most reliable identification feature.
Juvenile Lacks the black helmet (brown head), with duller colours. Wing bar and white rump present.