Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammea (Linnaeus, 1758)
FR
COMRE
16633
Family: Passeriformes > Fringillidae
This Continental-breeding finch feeds largely on trees seeds, birch and Alder being firm favourites, where it often joins other finch species such as Siskin and Goldfinch.
The Common Redpoll is slightly larger than the Lesser Redpoll and its breeding area is found further north and east in Continental Europe. The European breeding population is estimated at over 13 million pairs. In comparison, very few make it to British & Irish shores, where winter numbers often struggle to reach three figures. Most of the Common Redpolls that do arrive are found in eastern parts of Scotland and England, with fewer records from Wales and the island of Ireland.
In winters when its favoured tree seeds are in short supply in the wider countryside, Common Redpoll can be seen joining some of our more familiar birds at our garden feeders.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Common Redpoll
Identification
Common Redpoll identification is often difficult.
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| UK Birds of Conservation Concern | Red listed |
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
WCA(III),Bern(III) |
POPULATION SIZE
| UK (breeding) | 12 Pairs (2013–17) |
| UK (winter) | 335 (2012-17) |
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
added to list 2000 |
POPULATION CHANGE
RBBP mean figure 20 bp and 'no trend available but increasing'. New record total of 19–35 pairs in 2019.
DISTRIBUTION
The Common Redpoll is a mainly winter visitor to Britain & Ireland from northern Eurasia, Greenland and possibly Iceland. Separating the various forms of Common Redpoll from each other and from Lesser Redpoll can raise intractable problems. During 2008–11 Common Redpolls were suspected of breeding in northern Scotland, at sites in Shetland, Orkney, Caithness and Sutherland and on the Outer Hebrides and Tiree.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in breeding season | 21 |
| % occupied in breeding season | 0.7 |
| No. occupied in winter | 524 |
| % occupied in winter | 17 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
SEASONALITY
Common Redpoll is a regular passage migrant and winter visitor, with numbers varying from year to year.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Common Redpoll, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
2 |
|
Egg Size
|
17×13 mm Weight = 1.4 g (of which 5% is shell) |
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Ring size
|
A |
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: FR | 5-letter code: COMRE | Euring: 16633 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Gaelic: Dearcan-seilich
Welsh: Llinos Bengoch
Catalan: passerell golanegre
Czech: cecetka zimní
Danish: Gråsisken
Dutch: Barmsijs
Estonian: urvalind
Finnish: urpiainen
French: Sizerin flammé
German: Birkenzeisig
Hungarian: zsezse
Icelandic: Auðnutittlingur
Irish: Deargéadan
Italian: Organetto
Latvian: (kegis), dadzis
Lithuanian: paprastasis cimciakas
Norwegian: Gråsisik
Polish: czeczotka (zwyczajna)
Portuguese: pintarroxo-de-queixo-preto
Slovak: stehlík cecetka
Slovenian: brezovcek
Spanish: Pardillo norteño
Swedish: gråsiska
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- The role of research and development in the evolution of a 'smart' agri-environment scheme
- Habitat use by seed-eating birds: a scale-dependent approach
- Survival and physiologic responses of common amakihi and Japanese white-eyes during simulated translocation
Read more studies about Common Redpoll on Conservation Evidence >
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