Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll - (Carduelis flammea)

March 15, 2009 - It seems that this is the day we have seen the last of redpolls for this winter season. Six of these birds stopped by for a sunflower seed fill up before heading back home. Such a cute, hearty little bird that we look forward to seeing the next time.

March 2, 2009 - In the midst of a small snow storm and during a frantic flurry of finches and pine siskins, we saw three redpolls. Regrettably, we didn't see any of these little guys for the Great Backyard Bird Count.

At the end of February 2009 we finally spotted a male and female redpoll among all the goldfinches and pine siskins. We had heard many birders in our area were feeding quite a few visiting redpolls this year. This irruptive bird can usually be seen more often during even years in our part of upstate New York.

We first spotted a redpoll in January 2008, but didn't have an opportunity to photograph one until the end of Common Redpoll February. The name redpoll is derived from the crown and chest color and counting heads or taking a poll. Their German name is birkenzeisig which means birch siskin. Birch trees provide the seeds that are the favorites of redpolls. The birch seeds scarcity in any given winter accounts for the birds irruptive migration to the states.

Redpolls are one of the smallest in the bird family to winter so far north. Without much fat, they have other ways to keep warm: good feather insulation, high-energy food source, feed in low-light intensities (start eating early and stay out late); and forage for food in sheltered areas (under the insulating snow).

The redpolls also have developed an unusual adaptation: a small pouch on one side of the esophagus. This is filled with unhusked seeds. The bird can find a warmer, more sheltered area to bring them up for actual eating. The pouch can hold about a quarter of one day's total energy requirements. This midnight snack means survival on severely cold nights in the Arctic.

Size:	Length: 5-5.5 in Weight: .5 oz Wingspan: 8.25-9 in
ID:	Male: small winter finch with bright red or orange-red crown (thumbprint-like); buff colored bill is sharp, conical and has a black tip; dark face and black chin, bright deep pink breast and sides; whitish overall with heavy dark streaks on back and nape; dark brown wings with 2 narrow white wing bars; notched black tail; dark brown streaks on sides, flanks, and undertail coverts; dark feet anisodactylous (three toes point forward and one toe points backward) Female: Same as male without red on chest Juvenile: Browner than adults; dark streaks on chest; no red crown
Habitat:	Birches, scrub areas in the tundra; winter in weeds and open areas
Diet:	Tiny seeds of birch and alder trees (when seeds become scarce every couple of years irruptive migration sends them south to Northern US); feeder food: nyjer, sunflower and small finch seeds; insects in summer; will forage high in trees, on feeders, and on the ground
Family Behavior:	Mating Habits: Monogamous to loosely colonial; 1-2 broods per year Local Breeding Period: Breeds in the Artic Nests: Cup shaped; built by female of moss, plant material and feather; lined with grass and twigs; placed n low shrubs or rock crevices. Eggs: 4-7 pale green with purple markings dotted and concentrated mostly at larger end; incubated 10-11 days by female Nestlings: Born altricial (helpless, naked, eyes closed) and stay in nest 9-14 days; female feeds mostly but sometimes the male and male helpers do also
Social Activities:	Gregarious; lives in flocks year round; breeding pairs stay close together; can be tamed and fed by hand
Range:	Breed in the high Arctic; winter in brushy areas of southern Canada and occasionally northern US.
Vocalization:	Series of short repeated notes; trills; rattling chet-chet or a rising swee-ee-et
Lifespan:	Up to 10 years

Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll - (Carduelis flammea)

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