Best time to see: Nov to mid Mar

Key facts

Spectacular crested birds arriving in flocks when winter food is scarce on the continent

Habitat: anywhere with fruit trees or shrubs with berries – gardens, hedgerows, parks

Irregular winter visitor from northern Scandinavia

Recognition

Starling-like shape but pinkish-brown with swept-back crest and yellow fringe to wing and tail; 17–18 cm

Roams hedgerows and gardens in sizeable flocks feeding on berries and fruit