male winter

male winter male winter European distribution summer male singing

Identification

The Brambling is sometimes described as the Chaffinch of the north, for in the pine and birch forests of Scandinavia it seems to replace the Chaffinch as the commonest bird. In all plumages, Bramblings can be recognised by the obvious orange on the breast extending across the shoulders onto their wings. In winter the head and mantle are usually a blotchy grey-brown but in some birds these wear away to produce a stunning black head, even before they depart back to Scandinavia. In flight they show a neat rectangular white patch down the rump as well as white and orange in the wing.

Habitat

Breeds in birch and coniferous forests. Winters in woodland, especially beech, and on farms with stubble fields.

Migration

All Bramblings are migratory, wintering south of the breeding range across western and central Europe.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Brambling is classed as Common: common species, including species that are certain or probable escapees from captivity when occurring in the British Isles. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Santon Warren, Norfolk 25/01/2010	Venus Pool, Shrops 03/02/2010	Garelochhead, Clyde 30/01/2010	Old Gore, Herefs 30/01/2010	Old Gore, Herefs 30/01/2010
Santon Warren, Norfolk 08/12/2009	Malleray, Jura, Switzerland 18/12/2004	Dunfermline, Fife 25/01/2010	Dunfermline, Fife 24/01/2010	Llandrindod Wells, Powys 13/01/2010

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Brambling breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Belarus
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
Germany
Iceland
Latvia
Lithuania
Netherlands
Norway
Russia
Slovenia
Sweden

http://www.avibirds.com/euhtml/Brambling.html   Avibirds: Brambling	Edit this link
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http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob16380.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Brambling	Edit this link
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	Quick Guide: Brambling or Chaffinch?	Friday 23rd February 2007
	Given good views these attractive finches are quite straightforward to tell apart. Find out what to look for with our latest identification guide.

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