Redpoll I.D

[Raven]

Can somebody tell me if these redpolls are both mealy? Sorry for the bad pic, it was taken through glass, and I was in a rush..I ended up being late for work because of these two! 



Thank you. x

[Mark Rowbottom]

Hi Raven
Redpoll id is fraught with difficulties but the brownish tones of the left hand bird make it a fairly standard Lesser Redpoll cabaretwhilst the right hand bird in my opinion is probably a fairly reasonable Mealy flammeagiven it's generally colder plumage tones and white wing bars.
Cheers
Mark Rowbottom

[Raven]

Hi Raven
Redpoll id is fraught with difficulties but the brownish tones of the left hand bird make it a fairly standard Lesser Redpoll cabaretwhilst the right hand bird in my opinion is probably a fairly reasonable Mealy flammeagiven it's generally colder plumage tones and white wing bars.
Cheers
Mark Rowbottom

That was my thought. I do wish I'd had longer to watch them and get some better pics!

I am only just learning to identify the redpolls, but these two definitely looked very different to each other. I know that generally mealy redpolls can differ in colour and markings. If it is a Lesser, then it is my first one! Very pleased to have had it in my garden.