The hawfinch has an overall length of 18 cm, with a wingspan that ranges from 29 to 33 cm. It weighs 46–70 grams with the male being on average slightly heavier than the female. The back is a rusty-brown, the breast and belly are buff and the head is orange-brown with a black bib and grey neck. The wings are glossy blue-black with a broad white wing patch

It is a shy species, and therefore difficult to observe and study. It spends most of the day on top of high branches. Deciduous or mixed woodland, including parkland, with large trees – especially hornbeam – is favoured for breeding. The hawfinch builds its nest in a bush or tree, and lays 2–7 eggs.

The hawfinch feeds primarily on hard seeds from trees, as well as fruit seeds, which it obtains with the help of its strong beak with accompanying jaw muscles. Its jaw muscles exert a force equivalent to a load of approximately 30–48 kg. Thus it can break through the seeds of cherries and plums. Other common sources of food include pine seeds, berries, sprouts and the occasional caterpillar and beetle. They can also break through olive seeds.