small red headed bird

[jchannelle]

I recently spotted a bird in our garden that was sparrow shaped and had a red breast and head. It definately wasn't a british Robin so was wondering if anyone had an idea of what it could be?

Janine

[Kayleigh]

It could be a male chaffinch. Was it like this??
The RSPB: Chaffinch

[jchannelle]

No, his/her whole head and breast was a striking red. It was the red I saw first. I have been through lots of books and searched the web but have been unable to find any photo/description of it.

Janine

[tigger]

It wasn't this red bird was it?

Someone else on the forum spotted in their garden

Can't think what else it could be

Jane

[jchannelle]

No as the bird I saw had a red head and breast and the rest was brown. The whole face and head was red, which is what made it stand out.

If I see it again, I will try and get a photo.

Janaine

[Kayleigh]

It could be crossbill, Rose finch, linnet, redpoll,

Just flipped through my collins pocket guide. Do a google see if any of these fit the description.

[Wild-Woman]

Linnet perhaps?

[jchannelle]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

It could be crossbill, Rose finch, linnet, redpoll,

Just flipped through my collins pocket guide. Do a google see if any of these fit the description.

None of the above. I know a lot about the finches as we have a load of them in our garden. There was no finch markings on it.

I would describe it if looking like a sparrow with a red head and breast.

As I said, I will get a photo if I see it again.

Janine

[aeshna5]

Probably some cage bird escape?

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Bullfinch?

[epops]

could it of been an escaped red avadavat(strawberry finch)?

[Dae]

I can't think of very many local birds that would have a red head that looks like a sparrow in every other respect. Does it have a sparrow bill as well?

I've an example here by wildlifesnapper of a common rosefinch, which is the only local bird I could think of other than a redpoll:



Also, if you look outside the realm of the local, the only other wild bird I could come up with is an american bird called a House Finch, which I find extremely unlikely. I imagine it's an escapee from a local collection of some sort. Anyways, here's an image of a house finch I took in the US:

[Gayna Hall]

Originally Posted by jchannelle

I recently spotted a bird in our garden that was sparrow shaped and had a red breast and head. It definately wasn't a british Robin so was wondering if anyone had an idea of what it could be?

Janine

Hello, did you identify this bird, as we seem to have one very similar to this hopping about our garden, it is definately not a robin!

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Gayna Hall

Hello, did you identify this bird, as we seem to have one very similar to this hopping about our garden, it is definately not a robin!

Can you try + photograph it + post it on here- then I'm sure we'll ID it for you.

[Dae]

A photo would be a great help. As previously stated in the original posting - the local possibilities are linnet, redpoll, and rosefinch, or even possibly a crossbill or a bullfinch.