Common Redpoll in March
Where redpolls are in March, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
March in the Common Redpoll's year
March is a month of transition. Winter visitors begin drifting north, the first spring migrants appear in the South, and resident birds are in full song. Weather swings hard — a warm week can push migration early, and a late blizzard can catch migrants short of food.
For the Common Redpoll specifically, March is a spring month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 29 states and provinces where redpolls occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where redpolls are in March
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- winter visitor
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In March, redpolls are absent in the South, winter visitor across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in March
Redpolls are not nesting in March. The season runs June–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, redpolls put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in March
- Birch seed and feeder nyjer
Redpolls survive −60°F nights with a throat pouch that stores seed; they arrive at feeders in irruption winters.
Migration brings new faces to feeders. Keep seed fresh and watch for birds passing through that you won't see again until fall.
Full Common Redpoll diet guide → · Best feeder for redpolls →
Watching redpolls this month
Redpolls are settled and predictable in March, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region redpolls are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Common Redpoll month by month
Common Redpoll by state
Frequently asked
Where are redpolls in March?
In March, redpolls are absent in the South, winter visitor across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do redpolls nest in March?
No — redpolls typically nest June through July at mid-latitudes.
What do redpolls eat in March?
Birch seed and feeder nyjer.
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.