Nature Photographers Ltd

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla L 14-15cm. Distinctive finch with white rump. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in winter has orange throat, breast and lesser wing coverts; underparts are white with small dark spots on flanks. Head and back are darkish but with pale feather fringes. Dark wings have pale feather margins and whitish orange wingbars. Bill is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes acquired here) head, back and bill are black. Adult female has similar markings to winter male on wings, breast and underparts but head is grey brown with dark lines on sides. Juveniles are similar to winter adults but duller. Voice Calls include a harsh eeerrp. Song is series of buzzing notes. Status Mainly a common winter visitor, found mainly in mature Beech woodland. A few pairs breed.