New York · Winter visitor

Hoary Redpolls in New York

When hoary redpolls are present in New York, when they nest, which native New York plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–7b yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Hoary RedpollAcanthis hornemanni
Status in New York
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
USDA 3b–7b

When to expect hoary redpolls in New York

In New York, hoary redpolls are winter visitors rather than breeders. Long, snowy winters upstate; lake-effect snow belts make feeders and roost boxes important.

Humid continental, from cold Adirondack highlands to the maritime-moderated coast of Long Island.

Native New York plants that attract hoary redpolls

Of the regional native plants we track for New York, these 8 provide food or cover hoary redpolls use:

Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Fall seed.

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

New England aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

Tall goldenrod
Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Paper birch
Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Sugar maple
Acer saccharum · Tree

Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.

Red maple
Acer rubrum · Tree

Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.

Feeding hoary redpolls through the New York year

  • Top foods: Nyjer (thistle), Hulled sunflower.
  • In New York's winter: Long, snowy winters upstate; lake-effect snow belts make feeders and roost boxes important.

Full diet breakdown for hoary redpolls · Best feeder for hoary redpolls

Frequently asked

Are hoary redpolls in New York year-round?

No. Hoary Redpolls are winter visitors in New York and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract hoary redpolls in New York?

Black-eyed Susan, Wild bergamot, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Sugar maple, Red maple are native plants in New York that provide food or cover for hoary redpolls.

Hoary Redpolls in other regions

Other backyard birds in New York

Northern CardinalEastern BluebirdBlack-capped ChickadeePurple MartinDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchTufted TitmouseWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenBlue JayHouse FinchPurple FinchRuby-throated HummingbirdCarolina WrenMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoWhite-throated SparrowSong SparrowChipping SparrowRed-bellied WoodpeckerNorthern FlickerPileated WoodpeckerRed-headed WoodpeckerYellow-bellied SapsuckerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperCommon GrackleRed-winged BlackbirdBaltimore OrioleOrchard OrioleRose-breasted GrosbeakEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinCommon RedpollIndigo BuntingEastern TowheeGray CatbirdNorthern MockingbirdBrown ThrasherCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowEastern PhoebeChimney SwiftYellow-rumped WarblerPine WarblerEastern Screech-OwlWood ThrushGreat Crested FlycatcherEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingCanada JayFox SparrowAmerican CrowCommon RavenCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkBarred OwlGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWood DuckWild TurkeyMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherScarlet TanagerEastern MeadowlarkBrown-headed CowbirdGolden-crowned KingletHermit ThrushWinter WrenPine GrosbeakRed CrossbillField SparrowGray CatbirdLark SparrowHooded MerganserYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartBlack-and-white WarblerOvenbirdYellow-breasted ChatRed-eyed VireoWarbling VireoWhite-eyed VireoEastern Wood-PeweeLeast FlycatcherCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkEastern Whip-poor-willCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperAmerican WoodcockGreen HeronGreat EgretBlack-crowned Night HeronTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleRed-shouldered HawkMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBlack-backed WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowSwamp SparrowVesper SparrowSnow BuntingHorned LarkCommon RedpollWhite-winged CrossbillBohemian WaxwingYellow-billed CuckooBobolinkRusty BlackbirdRock PigeonMonk Parakeet

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
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — New York
  5. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  6. Audubon Native Plants Database
  7. New York Breeding Bird Atlas III

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.