Educational Corner: Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea)
Photo © Carol Freeman
When the seed crops decrease in its boreal breeding grounds, the common redpoll moves south, venturing into the northern U.S., sometimes even into the central or southern part of the country. Birds like the redpoll and pine siskin, that make these winter movements, are called irruptive species. Typically, redpolls move south every other year, although that’s not always the case. When they come, they visit backyard feeders with thistle, giving observers close looks at their bright red caps and black throats contrasting with yellow bills. Look for them in birch and alder trees in winter: Redpolls love the seeds, which have lots of calories.
Distribution:
It breeds worldwide in boreal forests and at the edge of tundra (when food sources are low) and moves south to the northern and sometimes central U.S. regions.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Facts:
• Redpolls have special storage pouches in the esophagus that enable them to digest food overnight.
• Redpolls sometimes roost in tunnels beneath snow that serves as insulation.
• DNA evidence shows that the rare hoary redpoll, which is much paler and doesn’t venture as far south, could be the same species as the common redpoll.
