Anyone Confirm ID ?

SuzieandFlo · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 01:08 AM

My sister saw this in her garden yesterday (Thurs 9th December 2010). She lives in Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland. 10 miles south of Edinburgh and close to the Pentland Hills.
Arctic Redpoll ?

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 04:46 AM

Redpoll ID can be a real nightmare. I can see why they thought this was an Arctic Redpoll, but I don't think it is.

The first thing for me is the bill structure is wrong for this species which has a smaller, more "pinched in" look. This looks to me to be a Common (Mealy) Redpoll. The streaking below is also quite heavy, though there is overlap between the two species + there have been many lengthy papers on ID between these different forms.

RoyW · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 06:27 AM

Are there any more photos of this bird (even if not great quality)?
It is either an exilipes subspecies Arctic Redpoll or a flammea Common Redpoll (ie. Mealy Redpoll), but as the best features aren't really visible in this photo I don't think it's possible to say which with any certainty.

PMG · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 06:56 AM

Pity we can't see its rump or under its tail for the other features!

Jonathan · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 07:12 AM

If the bird's part of a regularly visiting flock of lesser redpoll it may well return, in which case this pdf might help. Tell your sister to print it out and keep it handy.

http://www.uk400clubonline.co.uk/Fil...-revisited.pdf

Cheers
Jonathan

Dogghound · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 08:11 AM

Yes as Roy says more photos, this photo seems to black out 90% of the features required. I have a suspicion of which one I think it is.

SuzieandFlo · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 09:45 AM

Thanks for the replies. I have saved a copy of Jonathan's pdf file and will email it to my sister, thanks

.
These are the only pictures she managed to get.

I have to go out to work soon but will check back later tonight

htcdude · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 09:48 AM

Just looking around the web at pics, I will say Arctic Redpoll, but I know nothing of these things...I am but a child

RoyW · #9 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 04:39 PM

Even with the new photos I would have to say that the ID is still not conclusive I'm afraid - as has already been said, redpoll ID can be very difficult due to considerable variation in the different "forms".

If I found this bird in a flock I certainly wouldn't "write it off" as a Mealy Redpoll without very close scrutiny though...
Pale redpolls like this are actually very smart birds, regardless of whether they are the rarer Arctic, or more regular Mealy/Common Redpoll species, so I'd enjoy seeing one like this regardless!

Rob_D · #10 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 06:09 PM

It does seem to have very fluffy white feathering on the legs. I have a book that suggests that's indicative of Arctic, but other articles don't mention that.