male summer

male summer female European distribution adult male feeding and on wire

Identification

The Redpoll is a small streaky brown finch usually located by its loud rattling call. Redpolls can usually be identified by the little red spot on the forehead which gives them their name. In females, however, this red colour can be indistinct and in juveniles it can be lacking altogether. Such birds would have to be identified by their small size, chunky shape and streaky dark brown plumage, lacking the greens and yellows of Serins or Siskins or the white in the wing and tail of a Linnet or Twite.

Habitat

Breeds in coniferous and birch woodlands. Winters in birch, willows and alders.

Behaviour

Performs elaborate songflights over the breeding area.

Migration

Birds Britain are resident. However, up to 70% of the British population migrates to the Low Countries and some reach as far as Italy and Portugal. Wintering birds are often nomadic, exploiting food sources wherever they find them and often remaining to breed if supplies last.

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, Lesser Redpoll 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.)

Lochwinnoch RSPB, Clyde 18/07/2010	Longformacus, Borders 10/07/2010	Longformacus, Borders 10/07/2010	Birnie & Gaddon Lochs, Fife 08/07/2010	Endrick Mouth, Clyde 24/06/2010
Wayoh Resr, Lancs 24/06/2010	Longformacus, Borders 20/06/2010	Longformacus, Borders 20/06/2010	Elan Valley, Powys 12/06/2010	Longformacus, Borders 12/06/2010

 View all pictures of Lesser Redpoll

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

Austria
Belgium
Britain
Czech Republic
Denmark
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Lichtenstein
Netherlands
Poland
Slovakia
Slovenia
Switzerland

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