Redpoll (Acanthis flammea)

OTHER NAMES: Redpoll

Latin Etymology: Acanthis (Greek name for a small unidentied bird) flammea ("fiery")

Adult male Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) at Geddington, Northants - March 2013

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 9-12g  /  Length: 11.5-12.5cm  /  Wingspan: 20-22.5cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Theoretically at least, this is a widespread finch present for most of the year in most of the country (or at least in Winter in a certain central section). On the flip-side of that however is that it's got a comparatively small population, and thus presumably, a rather patchy distribution. Winter is probably the best time to see it as without the leaves on the trees it'll be much more visible.  While for a while it was regarded as three separate species, more recent genetic evidence points to their being negligible genetic differences between populations.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Acanthis

Subspecies: none - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widely distributed breeding resident (220,000 pairs) which disperses in Winter to be found in wider habitat.

 - Seen some Winters in Geddington. Also seen at Rutland Water and Fineshade Woods. .

Further Information: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto