Lesser Redpoll

It is extremely difficult to distinguish between the different taxa of Lesser Redpolls based on feathers alone. The location of the sighting is an important initial parameter. Aside from the fairly typical phenotypes, there are many others that are difficult to associate with a specific taxon. In France, only the Lesser Redpoll is a native breeder and winter visitor. The Scarlet Redpoll is a rare and erratic winter visitor. An adult Redpoll can be recognized by the reddish-vermilion forehead and the black bib. The male has an additional pink or red colour on its chest that the female does not have, or is very faint.
The Lesser Redpoll is a bit smaller than the Scarlet Redpoll, from where it gets its english name Lesser Redpoll. The adult, breeding male is darker on its back, without the frosted impression that the Scarlet often has. The mantle does not have the whitish suspenders that are present on the Scarlet, and the two central stripes are simply paler than the others which are tawny. The rump is paler than that of the Scarlet, which makes it less visible in flight. It is coloured pink and is striped. The throat, front of the cheeks, and chest are pink or red, but can be the same reddish-vermilion as the crown in worn feathers. The flanks are more or less striped with brown. The yellowish-straw bill is small and well conical. The feet are rosy to brownish.
The female adult in breeding plumage has a bib that is slightly larger than that of the male, but, most importantly, its chest is rarely coloured like the male's. At most one can see a faint pink hue. The flanks are striped in brown on a ruddy background.
The juvenile is difficult to identify except for the cry, unless it is accompanied by adults. Its head does not have the black and red colouring. The crown is striped in brown-black. The upper parts are tawny and striped with dark brown and white.The wingspan is rufous khaki. The undersides are rufous and heavily streaked with dark brown on the chest and flanks. The beak is brownish.