Saturday, April 9, 2011

Saturday Snapshot - Redpoll

This redpoll and her friends come down from the north during winter when food supplies become more scarce. I think she's a Common Redpoll, but we also had some hoary ones around. The hoary ones have more white, but I have a hard time telling them apart. Anyway, it's one of the more interesting additions to our feeders during the colder months. Most have them have headed back home now.

The bird in the background is an American Goldfinch. In the summer, their colours are quite vibrant (yellow), especially the males. In the winter, all of them turn a yellowy-gray. They usually don't spend the winter in this area, but every year we get at least a few staying behind. This year we had 5, last year (a milder, less snowy winter) we had about 40.























Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. To participate – post a picture that you've taken (or one taken by a friend, or a family member) then add your link on Alyce’s site using Mr. Linky.

6 comments:

  1. He's gorgeous! I love the little red cap on his head!

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  2. What a cutie! No Redpolls in my yard this winter but lots and lots of Goldfinches. The Redpolls usually don't make it as far as Chicago unless food is really scarce. I did have a fair amount of Pine Siskens though.

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  3. Gosh, that red cap on his head is so vibrant! Our goldfinches are starting to get back their summer plumage -yay- it means summer is right around the corner.

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  4. Beautiful red patch on a rather ordinary looking bird. Everybody has to stand out somehow!

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