The Common Redpoll is a species of finch that breeds in high tundra habitat. During the winter many birds head south, sometimes in great numbers depending on natural food supplies. When redpolls head south in large numbers (sometimes along with other so-called "winter finches"), it is known as an irruption.
Common Redpolls are found in suitable habitat across the northern half of North America, and across northern parts of Eurasia. Common Redpolls are social and tend to travel in large, gregarious groups. These birds of the north are know to be able to survive temperatures as low as -65F - sometimes by tunneling under snowbanks to stay warm!
"Red poll" refers to the patch of red on the bird's crown. Common Redpolls are similar to Hoary Redpolls but they can be told apart by their darker plumge and slightly larger bill.
Imagine a scene straight out of a wildlife documentary, or an AI-rendered, unreal-looking image: flocks of birds, normally seen only in remote northern forests, suddenly descend upon your backyard, filling the air with their calls and vibrant plumage. A dramatic, seasonal shift in bird populations is known as an... Read more »
Contributing to citizen Science projects helps our collective knowledge, but it also helps us as individuals learn. We'd like to highlight some citizen science projects in which families can participate. If you know of a project that... Read more »
