Finches (Fringillidae)
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammea. Birch and alder catkin seeds.
Finches (Fringillidae)Common RedpollAcanthis flammea
- Scientific name
- Acanthis flammea
- Length
- 4.7–5.5 in
- Weight
- 0.4–0.7 oz
- Nest
- Cup low in shrubs on the tundra
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 4–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 10–11 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Small red cap and black chin
- Pink-washed breast on males
- Streaky brown-and-white body
Voice
Rattling 'chit-chit-chit' flight calls.
Diet and feeding
Birch and alder catkin seeds.
Common Redpolls by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Summer breeder | July |
| Alberta | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Winter visitor | — |
| Idaho | Winter visitor | — |
| Maine | Winter visitor | — |
| Manitoba | Winter visitor | — |
| Massachusetts | Winter visitor | — |
| Michigan | Winter visitor | — |
| Minnesota | Winter visitor | — |
| Montana | Winter visitor | — |
| New Brunswick | Winter visitor | — |
| New Hampshire | Winter visitor | — |
| New York | Winter visitor | — |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | July |
| North Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | July |
| Nova Scotia | Winter visitor | — |
| Nunavut | Summer breeder | July |
| Ontario | Winter visitor | — |
| Pennsylvania | Winter visitor | — |
| Prince Edward Island | Winter visitor | — |
| Quebec | Winter visitor | — |
| Saskatchewan | Winter visitor | — |
| South Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Vermont | Winter visitor | — |
| Washington | Winter visitor | — |
| Wisconsin | Winter visitor | — |
| Wyoming | Winter visitor | — |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | July |
Frequently asked
What do redpolls eat?
Birch and alder catkin seeds. At feeders: nyjer, hulled sunflower.
How big is a Common Redpoll?
4.7–5.5 in long and 0.4–0.7 oz.
Do redpolls use birdhouses?
No. Cup low in shrubs on the tundra.
Sources
- Common Redpoll — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Common Redpoll life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Common Redpoll — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.