Lesser Redpoll

Acanthis flammea cabaret

Scarce & local residents of 25,000 pairs in Britain.

Winter visitors numbers vary year to year.

Also includes North & Central Europe, Southern France, Danube & The Alps.

Adults are a small brownish-grey finch with dark streaks and a bright red patch on its forehead.

It has a black bib and two pale stripes on the wings.

Males' breasts are often suffused with red. 

The rump is streaked and there is a broad dark brown streak across the vent.

It has brown legs, a dark-tipped yellowish bill and dark brown irises.

Juveniles lack the red crown & breast/chests.