A small, slim finch, widely distributed, and once very popular as a cage bird because of its melodious song. Males are attractively marked with crimson foreheads and breasts, females much browner. It has an undulating flight, usually twittering as it flies and may be seen in large flocks during the winter.
Key ID Features:
A slender, long tailed finch with a short grey bill.
Summer males are striking with a bright reddish breast and slightly paler red forehead on a slate grey head.
Summer males also have plain orange- brown back with white streaked, dark wings and matching tail which is slightly forked.
Females are generally browner, lacking the males colouring, and more streaked all over.
Both sexes have a pale cheek patch.
Very often seen in pairs or small feeding flocks which twiitter in their undulating flight..
Overview
Scientific name: Carduelis cannabina.
Family: Finches (Fringillidae)
Where to see them:
While widespread across the UK, there are concentrations along the east coast from Kent to Aberdeenshire but they are scarce in upland regions and north west Scotland. Look for it on commons, heathland, rough ground, farmland hedges, saltmarshes and in parks and gardens.
Seen in UK:
All year round.
What they eat
Seeds and insects.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
