Finches (Fringillidae)

Hoary Redpoll

Acanthis hornemanni. Tiny seeds of arctic shrubs and sedges.

Finches (Fringillidae)Hoary RedpollAcanthis hornemanni
Scientific name
Acanthis hornemanni
Length
4.7–5.5 in
Weight
0.4–0.7 oz
Nest
Cup in rocks or low shrubs on high arctic tundra
Entrance hole
Does not use nest boxes
Clutch
3–6 eggs
Incubation
9–14 days
Broods
1 per season

Identification

  • Frostier and paler than Common Redpoll
  • Unstreaked white rump and undertail
  • Very short, stubby bill

Voice

Rattling flight calls, as Common Redpoll.

Diet and feeding

Tiny seeds of arctic shrubs and sedges.

What do hoary redpolls eat? · Best feeder for hoary redpolls

Hoary Redpolls by state and province

RegionStatusNesting
AlaskaYear-round residentJuly
AlbertaWinter visitor—
British ColumbiaWinter visitor—
ConnecticutWinter visitor—
IllinoisWinter visitor—
IndianaWinter visitor—
IowaWinter visitor—
KansasWinter visitor—
MaineWinter visitor—
ManitobaWinter visitor—
MassachusettsWinter visitor—
MichiganWinter visitor—
MinnesotaWinter visitor—
MissouriWinter visitor—
MontanaWinter visitor—
NebraskaWinter visitor—
New BrunswickWinter visitor—
New HampshireWinter visitor—
New JerseyWinter visitor—
New YorkWinter visitor—
Newfoundland and LabradorWinter visitor—
North DakotaWinter visitor—
Northwest TerritoriesYear-round residentJuly
Nova ScotiaWinter visitor—
NunavutYear-round residentJuly
OhioWinter visitor—
OklahomaWinter visitor—
OntarioWinter visitor—
PennsylvaniaWinter visitor—
Prince Edward IslandWinter visitor—
QuebecWinter visitor—
Rhode IslandWinter visitor—
SaskatchewanWinter visitor—
South DakotaWinter visitor—
VermontWinter visitor—
WisconsinWinter visitor—
YukonYear-round residentJuly

Frequently asked

What do hoary redpolls eat?

Tiny seeds of arctic shrubs and sedges. At feeders: nyjer (thistle), hulled sunflower.

How big is a Hoary Redpoll?

4.7–5.5 in long and 0.4–0.7 oz.

Do hoary redpolls use birdhouses?

No. Cup in rocks or low shrubs on high arctic tundra.

Sources

  1. Hoary Redpoll — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Hoary Redpoll life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Hoary 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.