by Jack Winter

Created on: June 12, 2009

It seems that there is a lot of research to be done on the common redpoll, this scientist found too many notes in the reference material that suggested there was not enough or no proof on certain aspects of the common redpoll. What he did find was that the information in one was markedly different than another. As a result he cross referenced his finding and came up with as best an explanation as he could find, which amounted to the most recent. He also made some speculations that should be easily recognized by the addition of question marks or parenthesis. The citations given in the text of this document covers all of the information previous to the citation (from citation to citation if you will), of which are ponderously worded with a vernacular that is unique to this scientist alone.

The common redpoll (Carduelis flammea) is a very small finch with a conical bill; ranging in size from 12-14 cm in length and 11-20 g in mass (Knox and Lowther 2000). The common redpoll's name is derived from the noticeable red spot located at the crown of both sexes (female spots are duller in comparison). Often confused with the hoary redpoll, the common redpoll has broad brownish colored streaks that flow along the flanks, whereas the hoary redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni) has fine streaking along the flanks. Common redpolls also have a streaked rump and streaked undertail coverts; the hoary redpoll lacks streaks on both the rump and undertail. Another distinction between the two is that the male common redpoll has a red or deep pink coloration upon the breast where the male hoary redpoll has a lighter tinged pink coloration. Aside from the streaked coverts and rump the female redpolls greatest distinction is that the common redpoll is generally darker in coloration than the hoary redpoll (Sibley 2003). During winter and fall molting the coloration turns lighter or buffer except the streaking which darkens in color, wings have a slightly greater extent of pale or whitish edges, and wingbars become much more prominent (Clement 1993).

Common redpolls breed in the sparsely human populated northern boreal and taiga regions of both old and new world arctic and spend winter in the Upper US, Europe, and Northern China only in alternating irruption years. The irruption is due to failures in seed-crop production among spruce and birch which causes the birds to forage further south. One common redpoll was banded in Belgium during winter, it was recovered

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>