The brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) name is probably a corruption of brandling, referring to its brindled plumage – typically black stripes on a red/orange base. A small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae, it has also been called the cock o' the north and the mountain finch. In winter, males have a mottled grey-brown head, which turns jet black during the summer. Females are a similar colour all year round to the winter male. It is widespread and migratory, often seen in very large flocks. Flocks of brambling head to the UK each year, escaping the Scandinavian snow and taking advantage of the food on offer in the UK's woods.
