Is it a Brambling?

[tigger]

This bird, seen on several days around 31 March in our garden, was of the finch family, judging by the shape of its beak, feeding on the ground, below a seed feeder, with chaffinches and greenfinches.

Its back was similar to a common sparrow, but the markings were darker brown and black, sharply defined. Its breast was buff, darkening to pinkish at the neck and round to the back of the neck. Its head was black with white stripes near the eye.

It was similar to brambling but the white stripes at the head, and the distinct brown and black back did not seem right.

Can you help, please?

Here is a couple of (very poor) pictures, taken from distance through glass with no zoom:

[Jason Green]

I'd guess female winter Brambling, but it's hard to say for sure. Other poss's are juv f. chaffinch?

[tigger]

Thanks Jason

Anyone else have any ideas.... I know it's a difficult one, but all suggestions welcome!

[Bub-les]

From the first photo I thought chaffinch but seeing second I'm not sure
Barbara

[Wild-Woman]

I think this is a female brambling.

[tigger]

Yes, that's my feeling. It was just the strange white stripes on it's head that confused me. You can see them (sort of) in the second picture (from behind) going down the back of the head....

[big bill]

I think I would go along with most as a Brambling hard to tell properly with the quality of image

[Adam Cheeseman]

I'd say a female chaffinch. If it was a fem. Brambling you would still be able to see part of the white rump even with the wings closed. There is no orange on the wings either.

Cheers,

Adam

[Ferret]

I think I will go with female Brambling, I had a look at the video clips on BWPi the white rump is not visible on these clips unless the bird leans forward even on a direct view from behind.

[ChrisJB]

A female brambling.

Regards, Chris

[Astra]

I'd say female Brambling.

I was trying to take some photos of one the other day but unfortunately it was directly into the sun so they didn't come out very well.

But I did manage to get one of it's back that looks rather like yours

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Astra

I'd say female Brambling.

I was trying to take some photos of one the other day but unfortunately it was directly into the sun so they didn't come out very well.

But I did manage to get one of it's back that looks rather like yours

Spot on Astra. That seals it I'd say.

Regards, Chris

[tigger]

I'd say brambling too. Thanks for the photo from behind... does look very similar. It's an angle you don't usually see them from..

Many thanks

Jane

[Bub-les]

I think the last photo confirms it as a female bramling
Barbara