Common Redpoll

Carduelis flammea

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Identification

Field notes

13 cm (5") Fairly common but irregular - irruptive species. Far northern forests and tundra in summer; in winter, brush and snow covered weedy fields, feeders. Very tame and social forming large winter flocks. In flight; undulating flight.

Gray-brown finch; red forehead; black chin; streaked sides and rump; notched tail; male has pink on breast.

Song: trills and twittering; hoarse "chit-chit-chit" call given in fligt.

Details in the field

Photo gallery

4 photos

Credit: Larry Bond

Credit: Eugene Beckes

Credit: nebirdsplus

Credit: Ómar Runólfsson

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos

Common Redpoll by ktbirding.com

Credit: Khanh Tran

Common Redpoll

Credit: Between the Earth and Humanity

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Common Redpoll

2 rules

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 3

What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Short · Medium · Long
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Unknown
Were the SIDES STREAKED, SPOTTED or BARRED ?: Yes · Unknown
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?: No
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?: Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Red, or pink · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Conical and slender · Conical and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Medium · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Sparrow-like · Songbird (ground or perching bird)

result:224-common-redpoll:1:1 Source: 224 Common Redpoll, row 1

Rule 2 12 criteria confidence 3

What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Short · Medium · Long
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Unknown
Were the SIDES STREAKED, SPOTTED or BARRED ?: Yes · Unknown
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?: Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?: Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Red, or pink · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Conical and slender · Conical and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Medium · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Sparrow-like · Songbird (ground or perching bird)

result:224-common-redpoll:3:1 Source: 224 Common Redpoll, row 3