Redpoll
Acanthis flammea
The Redpoll is a small finch that can be seen in Britain, particularly during the winter months, with sightings often reported in woodland edges, scrublands, and back gardens with seed feeders. It is a rare but regular winter visitor to the UK, with most sightings occurring in the northern and eastern parts of the country.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Redpoll in the field.
The Redpoll can be identified by its streaked brown back, white wing bars, and a distinctive red cap on the forehead, as well as its small size and distinctive facial pattern. Its white wings bars and reddish-brown wash on the breast are also key features to look out for.
The Redpoll is smaller than a Starling, measuring around 11-12 cm in length, and is similar in size to a Blue Tit.
The male Redpoll has a reddish-brown cap on the forehead, a pinkish-brown breast, and a streaked brown back, with a white wing bar and white edges to the tail feathers, with the intensity of the colours varying depending on the subspecies.
The female Redpoll is similar to the male but with a duller red cap and less intense breast colouration, with a more subdued overall appearance.
The Redpoll's call is a sharp, metallic "teu" or "tsee" sound, often repeated in a series, while its song is a series of short, melodic phrases.
Redpolls are social birds that often feed in flocks, foraging for seeds, particularly birch and alder seeds, and insects in trees and shrubs, with a distinctive bouncing flight style.
The Redpoll can be confused with the Lesser Redpoll, but can be distinguished by its larger size, darker streaking on the back, and a more pronounced red cap, as well as its distinctive white wing bars.
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