Breeds British Is, south-western Norway, southern Sweden, Denmark, and northern and north-eastern France east to southern Belgium and Netherlands; also northern and central Germany, Alps (from south-eastern France east to Austria) and Carpathians (south-eastern Czech Republic and southern Poland, possibly also northern Romania). Widespread in north-central and southern Europe in non-breeding season. Introduced in New Zealand.
 
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis cabaret) [XC619009]
by Irish Wildlife Sounds from Arbonne-la-For\u00eat, Seine-et-Marne, \u00cele-de-France, France (call, flight call, huge flock taking off)
Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis cabaret) [XC392784]
by Jarek Matusiak from Vysok\u00e9 Tatry, Poprad, Pre\u0161ovsk\u00fd kraj, Slovakia (call)
Nest
An untidy structure of gras, moss, old flower heads and small roots, lined with feathers, hair and other soft material, high up in a tall bush.
Eggs (Guide)
4 - 6; matte, rather deep blue, with pale brown spots and streaks. Incubation: 10 - 11 days; by female.
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Carduelis flammea (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) and Lesser Redpoll (Carduelis cabaret) (Knox 1988, Knox et al. 2001; see Sangster et al. 2002) but this treatment is not adopted by the BirdLife International (2002).
Probably forms superspecies with Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) and Hoary Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni). Has hybridized with Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) and Common Linnet (Linaria cannabina). Birds from Argyll, in south-western Scotland, described as subspecies disruptis have difference considered within range of species.
The Reader's Digest Book of British Birds 1980, 3rd Edition, Drive Publications Ltd ISBN 0 340 25308 8
Birds in Colour Campbell, B., 1960, Penguin Books Ltd
The Pocket Guide to Nest and Eggs Fitter, R.S.R., 1954, Collins
RSPB Handbook of British Birds Holden, P., Cleeves, T., 2002, A & C Black ISBN 0 7136 5713 8
Birds of Britain and Europe Sterry, P., et al., 2001, AA Publishing ISBN 0 7495 3068 5
The Popular Handbook of British Birds Hollom, P.A.D., 1973, H.F. & G. Witherby Ltd ISBN 0 85493 002 7