Nine to spot: Finches
During April finches sing their melody songs and are fascinating birds to watch. Learn how to identify with our ID guide
Siskin
Common in woodland, especially conifers, where flocks plunder the tree-tops. Great tit-sized with streaked yellow and green plumage, it has a high-pitched twittering, wheezing song.
Lesser Redpoll
A widespread, small, acrobatic species of birch and alder woodland with
a song of staccato notes followed by a short trill. It has a red blaze on its head and a pinkish breast.
Linnet
A resident of the scrubby edges of farmland and moderate uplands. The male has a crimson breast and forehead and a forked tail. Sings with a pleasant sharp trill but sadly is declining fast.
Hawfinch
The largest UK finch with a huge bill for cracking fruit pips. It is a very elusive bird of the treetops of ancient woodlands, although it may occasionally feed on fallen fruit on the ground.
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Chaffinch
Commonly found in parks, farms and gardens. The male has a slate head and brick-coloured underparts and sings a chuckling cascade of a song. The female is brown with a white wing flash.
Greenfinch
Large, bold green and yellow bird of parks, gardens and woodland edges. Sings with a deep staccato trill and wheeze and regularly visits birdfeeders to swipe unshelled sunflower seeds.
Goldfinch
The tinkling calls of a flock of goldfinches is ever-more common in urban areas. Flashes of gold and yellow on flanks, black neck and red face are a giveaway. It loves sunflower hearts.
Crossbill
Its strident high-pitched flight call is the best way to identify this shy species. The overlapping bill tip is designed to prise seeds from pine cones. The males are brick red, females greenish brown.
Bullfinch
Regarded as a pest in orchards, though numbers are declining, this large finch loves fruit tree buds and has a jet black cap. The male has a pink-orange breast, the female is more buff-coloured.
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