Hoary Redpoll

Carduelis hornemanni

Also known as:Arctic Redpoll, Greenland Arctic Redpoll

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Identification

Field notes

13 cm (5") Uncommon - irruptive species. Far northern forests and tundra in summer; in winter, brush and snow covered weedy fields, feeders. Few sighting south of Canada usually with Common Redpolls. In flight; undulating flight.

Whitish overall; red forehead; black chin; notched tail; male may have pink on breast. Paler than similar Common Redpoll with little or no streaking on underparts or rump.

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

Details in the field

Photo gallery

1 photo

Credit: Greg Schneider

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos

Dunbar Feeders - Hoary Redpoll

Credit: mrtravelbug

'Hornemann's' Hoary Redpoll in Northern Ontario

Credit: Petroglyph100

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.

Hoary Redpoll

2 rules

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 2

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 ?: Yes
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:2:1 Source: 224 Common Redpoll, row 2

Rule 2 12 criteria confidence 2

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:3:2 Source: 224 Common Redpoll, row 3