Common Redpoll

Overview

Common Redpoll: Small finch, brown-streaked gray upperparts, bright rose-pink breast, boldly streaked flanks and undertail coverts. Red cap and black chin. Bill is olive-brown with fine black tip. Wings are dark with two narrow white bars; tail is black and notched. Black legs, feet.

Range and Habitat

Common Redpoll: Breeds from Alaska and northern Quebec, south to British Columbia, Newfoundland, and Magdalen Islands. Spends winters irregularly south to California, Oklahoma, and the Carolinas; also found in Eurasia. Inhabits open subarctic areas, largely coniferous forests and scrub. Winters on brushy pastures, open thickets, and weedy fields.

INTERESTING FACTS

Although not considered a migratory bird, one of these birds, bearing a band with Chinese markings, was captured in Norway, having traveled over 4000 miles.
During the long Arctic night, redpolls sleep in snow tunnels to preserve body heat.
Several Redpolls have been seen on a twig feeding each other by passing a seed from bill to bill.
A group of redpolls are collectively known as a "gallup" of redpolls.

The Common Redpoll is a small finch that breeds in Alaska, Quebec, British Columbia, Newfoundland and the Magdalen Islands. It prefers subarctic climates with coniferous forests and scrubs, and they are typically associated with birch trees. They do not habituate in dense forests. In winter months, they will migrate to California, Oklahoma, North and South Carolina, and have even been found in Eurasia. One Common Redpoll had once been confirmed to migrate 4,000 miles to Norway. Preferred winter habitats include brushy pastures and fields. They are seed eaters and sleep in snow tunnels. The conservation rating of the Common Redpoll is Least Concern.