Redpoll

The Redpoll is a small, streaky finch with a bright red patch on its forehead and a black chin. Male birds usually have a pinkish breast during the breeding season, while females and young birds are browner all over. This tough bird from northern areas has a deeply notched tail and a short, cone-shaped yellow bill designed for getting seeds. In Britain, Redpolls breed in birch and pine woodlands, especially liking scrubby highland areas and young tree plantations. They move around partly during the year, with birds from the continent increasing their numbers in winter across the country. Outside the breeding season, Redpolls gather in wandering flocks that feed in an acrobatic way on the flowers of birch, alder, and larch trees. Their unique flight call is a metallic rattling sound, like chuch-uch-uch-uch, which often lets you know they are flying overhead before you see the flock.