With a fiery red head and breast, Redpolls stand out in the snowy northern habitats they inhabit. These birds breed in Alaska, northern Canada, coastal Greenland, and northern Europe. They’re active birds that often travel together in large flocks.

Redpolls take on different appearances. Previously, ornithologists considered Redpolls to be three different species: the Common Redpoll, the Hoary Redpoll, and the Lesser Redpoll. Here in Alaska, you’re most likely to spot Common Redpolls. Their breast is white with brown speckles. Males have a red tint to their breast. Their wings are dark brown, and they have two white wing bars. They have small, stout yellow beaks. On top of their head, they have a large red patch, or “poll.” The Hoary Redpoll, which breeds in Canada’s arctic islands, has a much whiter breast, back, and head. The Lesser Redpoll, which breeds in Europe, is smaller and darker colored.

At Creamer’s Field Migration Station, Redpolls tend to be encountered much more during spring banding seasons than in the fall. Historically, they are one of our most common birds, with about 6,500 total captures, but their numbers can vary dramatically from year to year—we may band many dozens in some spring seasons, while other years Redpolls will be entirely absent.