Common redpoll facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common redpoll |
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| Male, Quebec Canada | |
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| Genus: |
Acanthis
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flammea
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The common redpoll or mealy redpoll (Acanthis flammea) is a small bird that belongs to the finch family. These birds live in cold northern areas. They often build their nests in places with lots of bushes and shrubs. They usually breed a bit further south than their close relative, the Arctic redpoll.
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About the Common Redpoll's Name
The common redpoll got its scientific name in 1758 from a famous scientist named Carl Linnaeus. He first called it Fringilla flammea. The name Acanthis comes from an Ancient Greek word for a small bird. The word flammea is Latin for "flame-coloured," which describes the bird's bright red patch.
Scientists used to place the common redpoll in the genus Carduelis. But after studying their DNA, they found that the common redpoll and the Arctic redpoll are very closely related. So, they were moved into their own group, the genus Acanthis.
Different Types of Common Redpolls
There are a few different types, or subspecies, of the common redpoll:
- The mealy redpoll (A. f. flammea) lives across northern North America and parts of Europe and Asia.
- The Icelandic redpoll (A. f. icelandica) lives in Iceland.
- The Greenland redpoll (A. f. rostrata) lives in Greenland and Baffin Island.
Some scientists also think the lesser redpoll is a type of common redpoll. The Icelandic and Greenland redpolls are sometimes called 'northwestern redpolls'. All these birds travel south for winter and then return north in spring. They are very good at handling cold weather. Their winter travels mostly depend on finding enough food.
What Does a Common Redpoll Look Like?
The common redpoll is a small bird with brownish-grey feathers. It has dark stripes on its body and a bright red patch on its forehead. It also has a black patch under its chin, like a bib. You can see two light stripes on its wings. Male redpolls often have a reddish color on their chests.
This bird is smaller and browner than the Arctic redpoll. Common redpolls are about 11.5 to 14 centimeters (4.5 to 5.5 inches) long. They weigh about 12 to 16 grams (0.4 to 0.6 ounces). Their wingspan is around 19 to 22 centimeters (7.5 to 8.7 inches). They have brown legs, yellowish beaks with dark tips, and dark brown eyes.
Birds That Look Similar
The mealy redpoll is larger and paler than the lesser redpoll. These two types of redpolls often live in the same areas. Male mealy redpolls are darker than Arctic redpolls, which are about the same size. However, female mealy redpolls and Arctic redpolls look almost the same.
Common Redpoll Habits
Common redpolls live across northern Europe, Asia, and North America, including Greenland and Iceland. They are migratory birds, meaning they fly south in late autumn. Then, they fly back north in March and April. Their favorite places to live are boreal forests with pines, spruces, and larch trees.
These birds mostly eat seeds. In winter, they especially like to eat seeds from birch and alder trees.
The common redpoll builds its nest low down in a tree or a bush. The nest is made of thin twigs on the outside. The middle layer has root fibers, juniper bark, and lichens. The inside is soft, with down feathers, willow buds, and even reindeer hair. The female bird lays three to seven speckled eggs. She sits on the eggs for about 11 days until they hatch. The young birds are ready to fly about 13 days after hatching.
See also
In Spanish: Acanthis para niños
