Lesser Redpoll Carduelis flammea perched on pussy willow

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This tiny finch – only slightly bigger than a blue tit – is streaky and brown with patches of red on its head and sometimes its breast. They like to hang upside down to feed in trees. It has recently been 'split' from the mealy (or common) redpoll, a larger and paler species which is a winter visitor to the UK. They breed in woodland, but also visit gardens. Lesser redpolls can be seen dangling from tiny twigs in birch and alder trees, or perhaps on shrub stems. This is a widespread breeding species in Scotland, northern and eastern England and Wales. It is less common in central, southern and south-west England, but does occur in these places in winter.

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Size: 5295px × 3396px
Location: Norfolk, United Kingdom
Photo credit: © Ernie Janes / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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