Hoary Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni)

The Hoary Redpoll is a small Arctic finch that breeds across the tundra of northern North America, Greenland, and Eurasia. It is paler than the closely related Common Redpoll, with frosty white plumage, a smaller bill, and less streaking on the underparts. The species feeds primarily on the seeds of birch, alder, willow, and other northern plants, supplementing its diet with insects during the breeding season. Hoary Redpolls are well adapted to extreme cold and often forage in small flocks, frequently associating with Common Redpolls during winter. In North America, they breed in the high Arctic and migrate south irregularly, sometimes appearing far into the northern United States during winter irruption years. Because of their pale appearance and infrequent southern movements, Hoary Redpolls are highly sought after by birders whenever they occur outside their normal range.

NOTE: IN 2024 ornithologists lumped Common and Hoary Redpolls into one species, simply called "Redpoll"

Habitat

The Hoary Redpoll breeds in Arctic tundra, dwarf willow and birch shrublands, and sparsely vegetated northern landscapes. During winter, it inhabits open woodlands, birch and alder thickets, forest edges, weedy fields, and areas with abundant seed-bearing plants.

Diet

The Hoary Redpoll feeds primarily on the seeds of birch, alder, willow, grasses, and other Arctic and boreal plants. During the breeding season, it also consumes insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, which provide important protein for adults and nestlings. It often forages in trees and shrubs, hanging acrobatically from seed catkins, and readily visits bird feeders for nyjer and sunflower seeds during winter.

Breeding

Non-breeder in South Dakota. In range, the Hoary Redpoll builds a compact cup-shaped nest of grasses, mosses, rootlets, and twigs, heavily lined with feathers, plant down, and animal hair for insulation. The nest is usually placed low in a willow or birch shrub, tucked into dense vegetation that provides shelter from Arctic winds. The female typically lays 4–6 pale blue-green eggs marked with reddish-brown spots and performs most of the incubation, while both parents feed the nestlings after they hatch.

Song

The Hoary Redpoll gives a variety of soft, musical twittering and chattering calls that are very similar to those of the Common Redpoll. In flight, it frequently utters dry chit notes to maintain contact with flock members. The song is a jumble of trills, twitters, and warbling phrases, most often heard during the breeding season.

Migration

The Hoary Redpoll is a migratory species that breeds in the high Arctic and moves south during winter. Its movements are often irruptive, with the distance traveled varying greatly from year to year depending on the availability of birch and alder seeds. In some winters, large numbers reach southern Canada and the northern United States, while in other years many remain much farther north.

Interactive eBird map

Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Hoary Redpoll sightings

Similar Species

Common Redpoll. The Hoary Redpoll is paler and frostier overall than the Common Redpoll, with much whiter underparts, very light flank streaking, a smaller yellow bill, and a less contrasting face. Common Redpolls are browner, more heavily streaked on the sides and undertail, and have a larger bill with a darker, more strongly marked appearance. Hoary Redpolls also tend to have a fluffier, rounder look and a noticeably whiter rump in flight.

Bird Feeders

Will come to feeders for sunflower seeds, millet, and niger ("thistle") seed.

Conservation Status

The Hoary Redpoll is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because of its extensive Arctic breeding range and large global population. Although climate change and the loss of Arctic tundra habitat may pose future challenges, the species remains widespread across northern North America, Greenland, and Eurasia. It is not currently considered globally threatened.

Further Information

Photo Information

January 12th, 2013 - Our yard in Brandon, South Dakota!!! - Terry Sohl