brambling

brambling (BRAM-bling) - n., a brightly colored finch (Fringilla montifringilla) that breeds in the northern parts and winters in the southern parts of Europe and Asia.



Thanks, WikiMedia!

Also called the bramble finch, which is not as helpful an explanation for where the name came as it sounds -- for one thing, they aren't actually associated with brambles. Suggestions include that the bram- part is actually a Middle English variation with broom (the plant from which gave the name to the domestic tool made from it), and bram, loud + lyng, lung. So 🤷🏼‍♂️

---L.