A richly coloured, long-winged, short-legged finch with narrower wings and shorter tail than Chaffinch, but with obvious resemblance. Often found with Chaffinches but males can be distinguished by their white rump and orange wing panels.

In summer Bramblings are birds of northern birch forests with open heathy clearings, or mixed birch and conifers with plenty of light, airy woodland edge. A few can be found in late spring singing in similar habitats farther south, but they very rarely stay to nest. In winter their numbers are very variable in most areas, depending on the success of the breeding season and the availability of food.