Redpoll

A small, streaky finch of northern birch forests and tundra. It is easily recognized by a distinctive red patch on the forehead and a small black chin. In Europe, it is a hardy bird of high latitudes and altitudes. Redpoll appears in southern regions when northern food supplies fail. It is well-adapted to cold climates. A specialized throat pouch allows it to store seeds, feed rapidly, and then digest in a sheltered location.

Redpolls are highly social. They are almost always seen in active, twittering flocks. They are acrobatic feeders and often hang upside down from birch catkins or alder cones to reach seeds. They fly in a series of dips and rises. It is accompanied by a repetitive, metallic 'chit-chit-chit' call that helps the flock stay together in dense forests or snowy conditions.