Red faced finch (1 Viewer)

[Devon1]

Hi folks

We started feeder the birds in our garden a few months ago and are constantly visited by goldfinches, tits etc. Greenfinches and Siskins are the most common birds we get but today have what looks like a Greenfinch (same size with greenish body) but he has a red face and red mottling just under his bill. Curious as to what it is.

 

[Julie50]

In the UK if it is a finch - probably male chaffinch - can you get a pic? Could be a linnet?

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.
I wonder if it is a young linnet?

 

[Devon1]

Definitely not a chaffinch. They are very common around here and very different. Initial thoughts were a linnet but it is the size of a big male greenfinch and I assumed linnets to be smaller and not actually Green.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

welcome to Birdforum from me too!

Do you have more pictures?
If forced, I would opt for a Greenfinch: I trust original observers ID/opinion more than a single picture. And large bill and general colouration/jizz seems good for this and better than for other similar species.
Feet seems slightly paler and fleshy-pinkish than normal, but are within variation for a Greenfinch.

The red might well be blood from some injury

 

[James Lowther]

Hi,
it looks like a greenfinch that has been eating blackberries
Cheers
James

 

[Devon1]

Definitely not a chaffinch. They are very common around here and very different. Initial thoughts were a linnet but it is the size of a big male greenfinch and I assumed linnets to be smaller and not actually Green

Hi,
it looks like a greenfinch that has been eating blackberries
Cheers
James

Could be. Although we have counted 11 greenfinches at one point today and he appears to be the only one with a taste for blackberries.

 

[birdboybowley]

Defo a stained Greenfinch

 

[stevethehydra]

I was wondering about some escaped captive-bred colour morph or hybrid (people do all sorts of odd things with canaries and finch species, including goldfinches and greenfinches), but this looks like a regular greenfinch that has got something red on its face to me.

 

[Harebell]

Hi folks

We started feeder the birds in our garden a few months ago and are constantly visited by goldfinches, tits etc. Greenfinches and Siskins are the most common birds we get but today have what looks like a Greenfinch (same size with greenish body) but he has a red face and red mottling just under his bill. Curious as to what it is.View attachment 1597990

Could it be a Linnet?

 

[delia todd]

Hi Devon1 and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. I agree with Greenfinch too (the bare parts - bill and feet are right for that). But where does the red come from? Maybe berries, but could perhaps be a form of Leucism, particularly erythromelanin. You can read more about all this in our Opus Dictionary here: Dictionary G-L - BirdForum Opus

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing about the birds you see around you.

 

[Harry Stottle]

https://flic.kr/p/xTeQfb

 

[PYRTLE]

As James correctly suggested......caught me out to many years ago on the Isles of Scillies, almost ca)Ed out Rose Breasted Grosbeak!