The Hoary Redpoll, known as the Arctic Redpoll outside of North America, is a small finch named for the patch of red feathers on its crown.
Hoary Redpolls breed in the far north, in tundra forest across North America and Eurasia. They are similar in appearance and behavior to the Common Redpoll, though the Hoary is lighter overall and sports a slightly smaller bill.
Because they live in a cold and exposed environment, Hoary Redpolls have extra feathers on their bodies to provide extra insulation. These extra feathers, when fluffed out, give Hoary Redpolls an especially plump appearance.
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 »
