Redpoll id

[Wendy Woo]

Hallo to those I havent yet had the pleasure of meeting. I'm a newbie on WAB, great forum by the way. I would like help on identifying a photo I took last Thursday at the WWT at Barnes. On their facebook page, Im being told they are Common Redpoll, where as I and a couple of others think they are Lessers. Would greatly appreciate anybodys help

Redpolls - Wild About Britain Pics

[RoyW]

Hi Wendy Woo.

The right hand bird of the two that aren't obscured looks very much like a Lesser to me. The left hand bird (facing us) does look pale, and it would be interesting to see another angle, but I can't see any real reason to consider it to be anything other than a Lesser.

The problem with redpolls is that they can be very variable, Lessers can be quite pale, and some Common Redpolls (which aren't the most common in the UK) can be relatively dark.

[Shrike]

it does look pale ,i wouldn't rule out mealy

[ChristineB]

On the subject of redpolls here is my collection!
I was assuming they are all lesser redpolls unless anyone knows any different - some have quite white breasts witn more or less brown either side, some pink, some with bright red patches on the tops of their head, some with the same patch but brown - the difference between the males and females I assume. Not a particularly clear photo but the bottom two were feeding each other for ages - not so sure what that was all about at this time of year.

[Shrike]

i think its difficult to tell from both your own and wendy's pics as the pale ones are face on and first winter lessers are pale , mealys are pale but show a frostyness on the brown feathers on the back/wings etc.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by ChristineB

On the subject of redpolls here is my collection!
I was assuming they are all lesser redpolls unless anyone knows any different - some have quite white breasts witn more or less brown either side, some pink, some with bright red patches on the tops of their head, some with the same patch but brown - the difference between the males and females I assume. Not a particularly clear photo but the bottom two were feeding each other for ages - not so sure what that was all about at this time of year.

Yes lesser.

Agree with Roy et al on the OP. Can't seen many of the features used to sepwrate them both on left hand bird.