All you need to know about the lesser redpoll, including what to feed it <\/p>
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Some of our most eye-catching garden birds are members of the finch family.. Whether it is the pastel shades of the chaffinch<\/a><\/strong> or the more striking tones of the goldfinch, this family invariably brings colour and lively activity into our gardens.<\/p>\n Excitingly, over recent years many householders have started to record a \u2018new\u2019 finch, the lesser redpoll<\/p>\n Let\u2019s meet the lesser redpoll.<\/p>\n The lesser redpoll is a tiny brown and red finch.\u00a0 UK breeding populations of lesser redpoll dropped sharply from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s, and they are currently a \u2018red listed\u2019 species of high conservation concern.<\/p>\n In length lesser redpolls are about 11.5cm ( a little bigger than a blue tit<\/a><\/strong>) while their wingspan is 20-22.5cm. They weigh around 9-12g<\/p>\n Lesser redpolls are mainly seedeaters, and so it\u2019s unsurprising that their use of garden feeders peaks during late winter and early spring, when natural seed stocks are depleted.<\/p>\n They, like many other finches, are now benefiting from the many and varied types of seeds that have been developed by bird food manufacturers over recent decades.<\/p>\n In particular, lesser redpolls, which have really dinky beaks \u2013 much smaller than those of other common garden finches \u2013 have a particular liking for nyger seed.<\/p>\n Nyger is fine enough for lesser redpolls to handle and provides these delicate birds with an easy, energy-rich snack.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Lesser redpolls are rather inconspicuous in appearance and so, at a glance, you might not notice them turn up in your garden.<\/p>\n They often travel with goldfinches<\/a> <\/strong>and siskins during the spring, which further dilutes their initial impact.<\/p>\n However, if you look closer, you might discover this attractive garden visitor.<\/p>\n Lesser redpolls are about the size of blue tits and have warm, brown coloured plumage on their backs that is streaked with black.<\/p>\n Their wing bars are a buff colour, belly is white and they have a black \u2018goatee beard\u2019.<\/p>\n Their most striking feature, however, is the red on their foreheads (from which the common name \u2018red-poll\u2019 is derived).<\/p>\n As spring approaches, males also gain a wonderful peachy-red colour on the throat and neck.<\/p>\n However, it is not all plain-sailing when identifying redpolls.<\/p>\n There are two other types of redpolls \u2013 common redpolls and Arctic redpolls \u2013 that sometimes turn up in gardens, and these can confuse even the most experienced birdwatcher.<\/p>\n To help you get your eye in, the BTO has produced a free factsheet about lesser redpolls,<\/a><\/strong> allowing you to discover more about their migratory habits and breeding ecology<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Like many other finches, lesser redpolls really enjoy each other\u2019s company.<\/p>\n Indeed, even during the breeding season when many birds are busy chasing others of their kind away, they are not terribly territorial.<\/p>\n When travelling with other finches, lesser redpolls contribute to a simmering, haze of noise that is a treat for birdwatchers at this time of year.<\/p>\n Amidst the chorus, listen out for the lesser redpoll\u2019s low-pitched rolling djhu-djhu-djhu calls.<\/p>\n So, keep watching and listening.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\nWhat is the lesser redpoll?<\/h2>\n
How big are lesser redpoll?<\/h2>\n
What do lesser redpolls eat?<\/h2>\n
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How to identify a lesser redpoll<\/b><\/h2>\n
What do lesser redpolls look like?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Are <\/strong>lesser redpolls social birds?<\/h2>\n
What do lesser redpolls sound like?<\/h2>\n