Lesser / Mealy Redpoll? (1 Viewer)

[Reader]

Today I was watching & photographing the Redpolls in the garden at Kelling, Norfolk.

I'm not too hot when it comes to identifying Mealy Redpolls and was wondering about the following three photos.

The first I was veering to Mealy, the other two Lesser.

What do the experts think.

John

 

[KenM]

[QUOTE

The first I was veering to Mealy, the other two Lesser.

What do the experts think.

John[/QUOTE]

I'm certainly no expert...but then I believe it would be a brave person to claim as such when dealing with this group. However..based on current thinking...I'd be inclined to agree with your assessment in this case, although a size comparison with some classic Lessers might have been more supportive.

cheers

 

[Reader]

Thanks Ken

Unfortunately the first bird was out on its own when I took the photo and I didn't get another chance with that bird again so this is the best I can supply.

Does anyone else agree, or disagree with Ken.

John

I'm certainly no expert...but then I believe it would be a brave person to claim as such when dealing with this group. However..based on current thinking...I'd be inclined to agree with your assessment in this case, although a size comparison with some classic Lessers might have been more supportive.

cheers

 

[birding maniac]

Mealy, Lesser, Lessers :t:

 

[Reader]

Thanks BM

Is everyone else of the same opinion?

John

Mealy, Lesser, Lessers :t:

 

[toadoftoadhall]

Mealy, Lesser, Lessers :t:

any chance of pointers to why for us lesser informed, and thanks if you do,
toad

 

[OlaB]

Thanks BM

Is everyone else of the same opinion?

John

Not nessecarily. Once again I think it is hard to say based on pictures. 1st pic is a Mealy for me too, 3rd pic looks brown enough everywhere to be lessers. 2nd pic though is imo not enough. I do think that the grey colour of the head is a little troublesome for a clear Lesser.

 

[Hotspur]

Not nessecarily. Once again I think it is hard to say based on pictures. 1st pic is a Mealy for me too, 3rd pic looks brown enough everywhere to be lessers. 2nd pic though is imo not enough. I do think that the grey colour of the head is a little troublesome for a clear Lesser.

my thoughts echo Ola's. That grey head in pic 2 troubles me for Lesser despite the buff on the wingbar.

 

[knotsbirder]

my thoughts echo Ola's. That grey head in pic 2 troubles me for Lesser despite the buff on the wingbar.

Looks brown on my monitor?! Would agree with Mealy, Lesser, Lesser. :t:

Sam

 

[Bananafishbones]

Mealy, Lesser, Lesser

I think sometimes people forget to take the jizz and the bulky structure of the mealy into account, the bird in the 2nd image is classic jizz and structure of a lesser... I have alot of these currently in the garden, you will be suprised when you get large flocks of the colour variation within the same species, especially around the head and the wingbars.

 

[bongofury]

Another vote for Mealy, Lesser, Lesser.

The chunky neck and the pale colouring of the 1st bird is a good indicator for Mealy.

 

[Reader]

Thanks guys

So it looks certain that No.1 is a Mealy with a little debate about No.2.

John

 

[OlaB]

Mealy, Lesser, Lesser

I think sometimes people forget to take the jizz and the bulky structure of the mealy into account, the bird in the 2nd image is classic jizz and structure of a lesser... I have alot of these currently in the garden, you will be suprised when you get large flocks of the colour variation within the same species, especially around the head and the wingbars.

Oh, but the jizz can appear so different on different photos so I wouldn't rely on that on a single picture like this.

 

[Bananafishbones]

Oh, but the jizz can appear so different on different photos so I wouldn't rely on that on a single picture like this.

agreed Ola, sometimes seeing the bird in the field would give it a clinching ID in a matter of seconds, we dont have that luxury with this one, but look at the structure of the bird that is the topic of our discussion compared to the Mealy, it is a lot slighter, less barrel chested and thick necked, more upright, all of which are a sound (and agreed that not the only) indicators in my experience.

of course as John says we can safely say a nice Redpoll sp :t:

 

[JoanT]

Not nessecarily. Once again I think it is hard to say based on pictures. 1st pic is a Mealy for me too, 3rd pic looks brown enough everywhere to be lessers. 2nd pic though is imo not enough. I do think that the grey colour of the head is a little troublesome for a clear Lesser.

The second bird looks far too grey around the head for me as well for a clear lesser, otherwise I agree 1st picture Mealy and third Lessers'