Redpolls in Alder tree at Titchwell RSPB in Norfolk on 29 January 2006 (Josh Jones)
Plates 1-3 show what I consider to be typical MEALY REDPOLL in winter plumage, being quite frosty-grey in plumage, with cloaked feathering on the nape and tarsi, noticeable streaking on the flanks and sides, a few streaks on the undertail-coverts, a few streaks on the white rump (not shown here) and clear white braces on the mantle and an obvious and quite broad whitish greater covert bar. The overall size of the bird is larger and more bulkier than Lesser Redpoll.
Plate 4 depicts a LESSER REDPOLL for comparison.