Common Redpoll - By d' Bay - Live Bird Feeder Webcam Images

Common Redpoll

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The Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea) is a species in the finch family. It breeds somewhat further south than the Arctic Redpoll, also in habitats with thickets or shrubs. Nominate C. f. flammea (Mealy Redpoll) breeds across the northern parts of North America and Eurasia. There is also an Icelandic subspecies, "Icelandic Redpoll" C. f. islandica, and one which breeds in Greenland and Baffin Island, C. f. rostrata (Greenland Redpoll). Together the Iceland and Greenland forms are sometimes known as "Northwestern Redpoll". All forms migrate further south in winter into southern Canada, the northern USA and most of Eurasia. These birds are remarkably resistant to cold temperatures and winter movements are mainly driven by the availability of food. The common redpoll is smaller, browner and more streaked than the Arctic Redpoll. There are two distinct populations (one lighter, one darker) united in islandica, the relationships of which are unresolved.

Common Redpoll An abundant breeding bird of the boreal and taiga regions, the Common Redpoll is seen in North America primarily only in the winter. Even then, it generally occurs during irruptions, typically every other year.

Adult Description: 1) A very small finch. 2) Bill small and conical. 3) Chin black. 4) Forehead red.

Male Description:	Female Description:	Immature Description:
Crown bright red. Chin and lores black. Upperparts dark with pale edges; edges wear off through spring. Wings and tail blackish-brown. Wingbars broad and white. Lower back and rump paler and less streaked than upper back. Rump, cheeks and breast red or pink. Flanks with lines of dark streaks. Undertail coverts usually with dark centers and broad pale edges. Rest of underparts white or buffy.	Similar to male, but darker and streakier. Little or no red, except on crown.	Immature male, resembles adult female.