Common Redpoll vs Lesser Redpoll

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammea

Also known as: Mealy Redpoll

How to recognise a common redpoll?

General appearance

The common redpoll is of small size, similar to a sparrow, with a length of 5-5 1/2 inches (13-14 cm). It features a red forehead, a black chin, and maintains a darker overall appearance during the summer seasons. Its wings are pointed, and their tail shape is either notched or square-tipped.

Male vs female

Sexual dimorphism exists in common redpolls. The male redpoll is distinguished by a variable pink wash over its chest. The female, on the other hand, doesn't exhibit this coloring. Both sexes, however, exhibit the signature black chin and red forehead.

Juvenile

The juvenile common redpoll has similar features to the adults but may not have developed the identifiable red forehead or the male’s characteristic pink wash on the chest. The plumage patterns and color intensity may also differ, becoming more pronounced as they inch towards adulthood.

Size

4.7 - 5.5 in/0.4 - 0.7 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Common Redpoll breeds in the bushy regions of the North, often choosing shrubby spaces in birch or spruce forest, willow, alder, or dwarf birch thicket, and areas on tundra.

Additional range

During the winter, it shifts to semi-open areas like woodland edges, brushy or weedy fields, and areas filled with weeds or brush.

Range Map

What do common redpolls like to eat?

Natural diet

The common redpoll primarily feeds on seeds and other vegetable matter throughout the year. They consume seeds, catkins, and buds from trees such as willows, alders, and birches. Additionally, they eat small conifer seeds and seeds from various weeds and grasses. During the summer, their diet includes a larger proportion of insects.

Bird feeders

Common redpolls are often attracted to bird feeders where they consume various seeds such as nyjer (thistle) and sunflower seeds. They are known to visit feeders particularly in winter when natural food sources become scarce.

What does a common redpoll sound like?

The common redpoll's vocalizations are diverse and melodious. They typically resort to a twittering trill with their songs, often mixed with a soft rattle. The call patterns range from flat to rising in pitch, demonstrating their dynamic range of sound. Their calls can be categorized into several types including chatter, chirp or chip, trill, and whistle. These harmonious sequences of notes sets them apart. The nuanced chirp, trill and whistle resonate through their territories, making the redpoll's vocalizations distinct and easily recognizable.

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

There's more to learn about Common Redpoll

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Lesser Redpoll

Acanthis cabaret

How to recognise a lesser redpoll?

General appearance

The lesser redpoll is a small, finch-like bird, noted for its slender shape. It exhibits a distinctive red poll (crown) on the head, black bib, pale, streaked tummy and brown back. The tail is black on top with white undertail coverts. Its wings bear dark brown feathers with two striking white wing bars.

Male vs female

Males and females are similar, but males are easily identified by their red breast and face, most evident in spring and summer. In contrast, females are duller, largely buff-colored with less extensive red markings. Both sexes have lighter, less vivid hues during autumn and winter.

Juvenile

Juvenile lesser redpolls are similar to adults apart from their lack of red coloration. They are mainly brown-grey with streaks and have a yellowish bill. The red cap and breast become apparent after the first moult.

Size

4.5 - 4.9 in/0.4 - 0.8 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The lesser redpoll inhabits temperate regions, typically woodland and shrub areas in northern Europe and Asia.

Additional range

This species shows adaptive tolerance for a variety of climates and can be found in urban areas and parks during the non-breeding season.

Range Map

What do lesser redpolls like to eat?

Natural diet

The lesser redpoll primarily feeds on seeds from birch, alder, and other trees. In winter, they often consume seeds from weeds and grasses. They may also eat insects, particularly during the breeding season, to provide protein for their young.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, lesser redpolls are attracted to nyjer seeds and sunflower hearts. They may also eat millet and other small seeds offered in feeders, especially during the colder months when natural food sources are scarce.

What does a lesser redpoll sound like?

The lesser redpoll has a distinctive vocalization, often starting with a sharp "chet-chet" or "pik-pik" call. Its song is a pleasant twittering, incorporated with trills and warbles, mostly performed in flight or high in trees. It also emits a characteristic "zrrrrp" flight call. The male lesser redpoll's song, used in territorial disputes and attracting a mate, has a more extended and complex composition.

Song

Audio by Pascal Christe

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

There's more to learn about Lesser Redpoll

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Common Redpoll

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Lesser Redpoll

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammea

Also known as: Mealy Redpoll

General appearance

The common redpoll is of small size, similar to a sparrow, with a length of 5-5 1/2 inches (13-14 cm). It features a red forehead, a black chin, and maintains a darker overall appearance during the summer seasons. Its wings are pointed, and their tail shape is either notched or square-tipped.

Male vs female

Sexual dimorphism exists in common redpolls. The male redpoll is distinguished by a variable pink wash over its chest. The female, on the other hand, doesn't exhibit this coloring. Both sexes, however, exhibit the signature black chin and red forehead.

Juvenile

The juvenile common redpoll has similar features to the adults but may not have developed the identifiable red forehead or the male’s characteristic pink wash on the chest. The plumage patterns and color intensity may also differ, becoming more pronounced as they inch towards adulthood.

Size

4.7 - 5.5 in/0.4 - 0.7 oz

There's more to learn about Common Redpoll

View full details

Lesser Redpoll

Acanthis cabaret

General appearance

The lesser redpoll is a small, finch-like bird, noted for its slender shape. It exhibits a distinctive red poll (crown) on the head, black bib, pale, streaked tummy and brown back. The tail is black on top with white undertail coverts. Its wings bear dark brown feathers with two striking white wing bars.

Male vs female

Males and females are similar, but males are easily identified by their red breast and face, most evident in spring and summer. In contrast, females are duller, largely buff-colored with less extensive red markings. Both sexes have lighter, less vivid hues during autumn and winter.

Juvenile

Juvenile lesser redpolls are similar to adults apart from their lack of red coloration. They are mainly brown-grey with streaks and have a yellowish bill. The red cap and breast become apparent after the first moult.

Size

4.5 - 4.9 in/0.4 - 0.8 oz

There's more to learn about Lesser Redpoll

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How to tell the Common Redpoll from the Lesser Redpoll

Visual differences

Common Redpolls are slightly larger (5-5.5 inches) than Lesser Redpolls (4.5-5 inches). Common Redpolls have a red forehead, black chin, and males exhibit a pink chest wash, while Lesser Redpolls have a red crown, black bib, and males show a red breast and face. The Common is generally darker, especially in summer, and has a notched or square-tipped tail. Lesser Redpolls are slimmer, browner with more streaks, dark tails with white undertail coverts, and distinctive white wing bars. Both have yellowish beaks, with the Lesser having a more slender shape.

Key differences and behavior

Common Redpolls (Acanthis flammea) and Lesser Redpolls (Acanthis cabaret) exhibit distinct behaviors. Common Redpolls, primarily breeding in northern bushy regions, form small flocks and are monogamous; their cold weather adaptation includes snow tunneling. During breeding, females take courtship initiative and nest in dense shrubs. They primarily feed on seeds but include more insects in summer. Lesser Redpolls, adaptable and sociable, thrive in diverse temperate habitats, including urban areas. They flock for feeding, and both parents participate in chick rearing. Males attract mates through song and aerial displays, contrasting with the Common Redpoll’s simpler courtship. Their diet is primarily seeds, supplemented by insects during breeding, similar to the Common Redpoll.

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Common Redpoll or Lesser Redpoll?

Common Redpoll

How to recognise a common redpoll?

Habitat

What do common redpolls like to eat?

What does a common redpoll sound like?

Call

There's more to learn about Common Redpoll

Lesser Redpoll

How to recognise a lesser redpoll?

Habitat

What do lesser redpolls like to eat?

What does a lesser redpoll sound like?

Song

There's more to learn about Lesser Redpoll

Common Redpoll

There's more to learn about Common Redpoll

Lesser Redpoll

There's more to learn about Lesser Redpoll

How to tell the Common Redpoll from the Lesser Redpoll

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

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Lesser Redpoll vs [Select a bird]

Lesser Redpoll

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