In birding, an irruption is a large movement of birds from one area to another. Currently, in Southwestern Ontario, we are experiencing an irruption of finches. Finch irruptions occur when there is a poor cone crop to our north resulting in a lack of food. This lack of food can occur for many reasons including disease, parasites, forest fires, and drought. Consequently, huge numbers of finches move south in search of food. Irruptions are cyclical and occur every few years.
Common Redpolls are small finches that have irrupted and can be found across our area in large numbers. Redpolls are identified by their heavily streaked bodies, yellow bills with the males having a red crown and pink chest while the females though very similar in appearance lack the pink chest.
Finding redpolls can be quite easy by finding their food. Like other finches, repolls are seed eaters and are often found feeding on birch, spruce, pine, or where I typically find them, alder. Redpolls will also consume the seeds of grasses and wildflowers and are regularly found in patches of goldenrod.
It’s easy to overlook huge flocks of redpolls as often times they are high overhead in tall trees. Using my ears and listening for their calls helps me find these colorful birds. Due to the fact that redpolls are often so high up photographing them often proves challenging.
As mentioned previously, I have the greatest success locating redpolls in large patches of alder trees. Alders grow in wet or moist conditions and can be found along riverbanks, ditches, sloughs, floodplain, and other low lying areas.
Alder catkins are tiny cone-like fruit that becomes woody and opens up releasing their seeds (similar to pine or spruce cones). It is these seeds that redpolls can be found feeding on. So far this winter, everywhere I’ve found alder trees, I’ve found redpolls.
Redpolls will visit backyard feeders and prefer nyjer seed and black-oil or hulled sunflower seed. At a quick glance, redpolls could be confused with a House Finch so be sure to pay close attention if you have finches at your feeder. House Finches are larger and have larger dark bills, with males having more red on their heads than just the red crown of the redpoll. Female House Finches completely lack any red.
During this irruption year, the chances of finding redpolls are quite good. If you are out and about this winter keep an eye and an ear out for redpolls. Be sure to scan patches of alder trees and fields of goldenrod while listening for their calls. It will likely be a few more years before we experience another irruption and these huge numbers of redpolls again in our area.
Good birding,
Paul
Beautiful photots of these charming little birds!
Thank you very much Kathy!
Pine Siskins are also irrupting this year both here and on the West coast.
They sure are Debbie. It has been an amazing finch irruption this winter! I was seeing lots of Pine Siskins earlier this winter especially at the feeders but none for a while. Lots of the larger finches including Evening Grosbeaks and crossbills have been reported too, but unfortunately, I haven’t seen any yet.
Large flock of Redpolls have been enjoying our seed buffet for the past 2 weeks….in cobourg on…enjoyable to watch
That is awesome, great birds to have at the feeders!
Nice pics and commentary…thank you!
Thank you very much James!
For the first time we have seen I believe a pair in our yard this week of July. We live on the south west mountain of Hamilton. In an older neighbourhood, I have been trying to find out how rare it is. With the storms and fires I thought they might have gotten off course. It was first noticed pecking at our trucks window but now I;ve seen it picking dried grass from under our fire pit and in the Spruce tree next door. They are so fast I don’t know if I will ever get a picture. LOL while I’m writing this out on our patio one just hopped beside me, then around me. I change to camera but I didn’t get to see it exit. I’m becoming obsessed with this tiny bird.
Wow that is amazing Sherri! Seeing them in the Hamilton area is definitely rare in July. That said, over the past few years Southwestern Ontario has seen a real increase in rare bird sightings. Is there any chance it is a pair of the much more common year-round resident House Finch? If they are redpolls in July, it certainly is a sighting worthy of reporting. Thanks for sharing!