Orange head

[ebenezer]

The attached photograph was taken by a friend of mine on a phone, through double glazing, while she had flu. Any thoughts on what it ls? The geographical context is that she lives several hundred feet up in the Campsie Hills, north of Glasgow. There are pinewoods nearby and she regularly has crossbills/Scottish crossbills around the house in winter. She thinks this may be a crossbill, but it was much more orange than she has ever seen before and wondered if it it might be a hawfinch, although she thought it was too small.

Any help appreciated.

Andrew

[RoyW__]

It is a crossbill (most likely Common Crossbill in the area I would think).

[Twitcheruth]

I agree it does look very orange for a Crossbill......and your friend did incredibly well to get the shot......I'll bow to Roy's greater knowledge in this case as (apart from Hawfinch?) I can't think of owt else it could be.

[Dave Appleton]

Young males normally look orange like this, as they start to acquire their red plumage.

[ebenezer]

Many thanks for these responses; the phonetographer is delighted, not least to know that her local colony is being refreshed by youngsters.

Andrew

[RoyW__]

Originally Posted by Dave Appleton

Young males normally look orange like this, as they start to acquire their red plumage.

Females can also get orange (or red) plumage, though it is usually patchy, and mature males aren't always bright red. This one is probably a young male, though I wouldn't want to say for certain!