Help Please strange visitor to garden today

[nursejudy]

Can someone please tell me what this bird is,i know its a rubbish picture but have not seen this bird in garden before,thought at first it was a gold finch but sure its not as it looks pinky on its breast and the red top is in a different place

 

 

 

 

[nick]

looks like a linnet to me Judy http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/l/linnet/index.aspx

[nursejudy]

Wow

[Andrew]

WOW, that's good camouflage on the bird.

[ayjay]

Hi Judy, not been around much today (moving my son to Wales) I think it's a Redpoll, that's "lesser redpoll" - carduelis cabaret.

[robtherake]

I thought Linnet at first glance. Have you heard it sing, Judy?; it's quite a distinctive tune - http://sounds.bl.uk/Environment/British-wildlife-recordings/022M-W1CDR0001391-0800V0

 

Edit - Got to say, though, the males of both species are very similar. The songs are very different, though, and provide a good point of identification.

Edited March 21, 2013 by robtherake

[nursejudy]

i was sat having a coffee and using the zoom on my camera just looking in the trees at the bottom of the garden .. trying for more natural piccys as you have advised me when i caught a glimpse of it

[Alan Stubbs]

The thing about linnet is that they are sociable birds - always in flocks - so if you see one, there are others nearby.

[Tony U]

I'm with Ajay, Lesser Redpoll for me it appears to have a yellow rather than a blue-grey one.

[nick]

Have to say I agree, despite my first post, it's a male lesser redpoll.

 

hadn't noticed the head is a definite brownish colour rather than the grey I would expect on a linnet, sorry for the misleading info Judy