Common Redpoll or Lesser Redpoll ID Please (1 Viewer)

[riggers]

I have never seen a Redpoll before as I am new to birdwatching. Can you please tell me if this is a Lesser Redpoll or a Common Redpoll. I saw it today in my neighbours garden in Snowdonia, Wales, U.K. Thank you so much for your help 😁

 

[aeshna5]

Lesser Redpoll, the form most likely encountered in the UK. No sign of any frosting in the plumage.

 

[rollingthunder]

I thought they were the same.

Laurie -

 

[aeshna5]

I thought they were the same.

Laurie -

Common= Mealy, separate subspecies to Lesser.

 

[Richard D]

I've lost track are they officially separate species, or are we now at the officially only sub-species?

 

[THE_FERN]

I think the evidence is they're best treated as forms (i.e. not even subspecies), but if not that then subspecies. We can see this in some of the photos people post: there's clearly a bit of a cline going on, especially for "arctic" redpolls---the photos often show a mix of characters

 

[KenM]

Here’s a couple….

 

[Butty]

. . . and - as ever - there is no 'officially': you pays yer money and takes yer choice. If you think you can spot a received/mainstream view, and if you happen to like mainstream views, go for it. Personally, they always have been, and remain, 'redpoll'.

 

[KenM]

Showing a difference…

 

[riggers]

Lesser Redpoll, the form most likely encountered in the UK. No sign of any frosting in the plumage.

Thank you very much for your help, much appreciated!

 

[riggers]

I thought they were the same.

Laurie -

I’m new to birdwatching and wasn’t sure what the difference was, thanks Laurie

 

[riggers]

I've lost track are they officially separate species, or are we now at the officially only sub-species?

I have no idea!

 

[rollingthunder]

Personally I have always called Lesser as Common as it is more 'common' and Mealy as the less common subspecies as it is 'scarcer' - back to the drawing board.....

What about a straw poll

Laurie -

 

[KenM]

The only thing “official” about Redpolls is speculation!
If you look at the images of the two birds on the feeder you should see two completely different birds, the choice might appear to be down to the individual….lump or split.
As far as I’m concerned regarding my images, bird on the left is Lesser and bird on the right is (and I’ll name it) Sub Arctic Redpoll….because it looks nothing like the other bird…and I don’t give a fig, whether they can hybridise or not.👍