A big trip for small visitors: the common redpoll

Earlier in the winter, a friend called me up and told me that they had redpolls at their feeder, so I went off to check it out. I was greeted by at least two dozen sparrow-sized birds on the feeder and on the ground having a feast on the assorted seeds. Closer inspection showed that some of the birds had colorful shades of red and pink on their heads and breasts. When something disturbed them, they would all flush as a group into the nearby trees only to return and resume feeding a few minutes later.

The common redpoll (Carduelis flammea) is one of our winter visitors. The redpolls spend the summer in the sub-arctic regions of Canada, where they breed, and migrate into the region and as far south as Maryland and Virginia during the winter. Their winter range can vary, so they may only be spotted every other year or so.

The male redpoll is the most colorful, with a bright red crown and pink breast and rump. The female is darker with dull red crown. Both sexes are brown and white streaked with white wing bars.

These birds feed on small seeds, and they frequent feeders, especially ones stocked with thistle seed. If you have a feeder, keep an eye out and you may see a group of redpolls fueling up for the big trip north.