redpoll

The redpoll is a small passerine bird belonging to the finch family, Fringillidae. Two species are commonly recognized: the common redpoll (Acanthis flammea) and the lesser redpoll (Acanthis cabaret). These birds are typically found in the northern hemisphere, inhabiting open woodlands, tundra, and heathland habitats. They are known for their characteristic red or reddish-pink cap on their crown, which gives them their name, and the streaked red or rosy wash on their breast and flanks, particularly prominent in males.

Common redpolls have a circumpolar distribution, breeding across the Arctic and subarctic regions of Eurasia and North America. Lesser redpolls are found more exclusively in Europe. These birds are often migratory, moving south in large flocks during the winter months in search of food, which primarily consists of seeds from grasses, weeds, and birch and alder trees. Their diet can also include insects, especially during the breeding season when feeding young.

Redpolls build small, cup-shaped nests in shrubs or low trees, typically laying clutches of four to seven eggs. The incubation period lasts around 11 to 14 days, and the young fledge approximately two weeks after hatching. Their social behavior is notable, as they often form large, active flocks outside of the breeding season, which can be a striking sight against winter landscapes. Their calls are often described as chirping and twittering, with a distinctive trilling song.