A small streaky brown finch with a red forehead patch. Irrupts south some winters when boreal seed crops fail — joining feeder flocks alongside goldfinches and pine siskins.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The redpoll is a species of small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Acanthis. It breeds in the Arctic and north temperate Holarctic tundra and taiga. The redpoll was formerly widely treated as three species: the common or mealy redpoll, the arctic or hoary redpoll, and the lesser redpoll.
Source: Wikipedia — Redpoll Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small streaky finch with a bright red forehead 'poll', a black chin, two white wing bars, and (males) a pink-washed breast.
Similar species. Hoary Redpoll is frostier and paler with less streaking and a stubbier bill; the two are very similar and sometimes lumped.
Voice. A dry, rattling 'chit-chit-chit' in flight and a buzzy 'zreee'.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Seeds (specialized for many species), occasional insects.
Behavior. A tiny, hardy finch of the far north that irrupts southward in winter; feeds acrobatically on birch and alder catkins and can store seeds in a throat pouch to digest in shelter.
§ Range
Boreal forests; irrupts to northern US in winter
§ Habitat
Open boreal forest, birch and alder stands
§ Threats
Climate-driven boreal forest changes, window strikes, salmonellosis at feeders.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the common redpoll is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Maintain birch and alder. Clean feeders regularly. Use window decals.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Redpoll
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Acanthis flammea
- IUCN Red List — search for Acanthis flammea
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Acanthis flammea
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
