Redpoll or Northpole? [videos]
Common Redpoll Video [1:04]
No matter how hard you try . . . You will never be able to convince me that another bird species bird doesn’t have as much Christmas spirit as the Common Redpoll. Being an irruptive species . . . Santa visits my house more than the Common Redpoll does! But, they do breed in Alaska across northern Canada in areas not that far South from the North Pole. They have amazing little reddish-pink Christmas outfits with some white wing bars and a streaked belly. They have a black beard, mustache (almost like Santa) and bright red Christmas cap on their head!! Best part about the Common Redpoll is that whenever they arrive at your feeders . . . it feels like Christmas Day when you just opened your “big” present!
American Goldfinch and Common Redpoll [0:47]
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I would think Santa came to my house too if I found a Redpoll at our feeders. I would be satisfied with a Purple Finch. DID YOU HEAR THAT SANTA???
22 December 2007 at 7:43 pm
Very nice – not only are you lucky to see them but also I love the effect in the video when they fly in.
Jealous? Moi? Never!
22 December 2007 at 8:07 pm
Wht beautiful little birds- you lucky guy!! They’re on my wish list. (lifer-lifer)
22 December 2007 at 9:20 pm
Your videos are so clear and crisp! I’m still wishing for a purple finch and if a Common Redpole appeared, I’d pass out :o) They are so pretty!
22 December 2007 at 10:06 pm
Ohh, this is very cool that you got to see these Tom! Thanks for the videos! Makes me feel like I’m there watching them, too! I love your description of their little “outfits!”
22 December 2007 at 10:06 pm
@ Lisa – If I see Santa anytime soon . . I will be sure to tell him about the purple finch or Redpolls!
@ Wren – You should have seen the clip I captured of them flying away! I probably should have included it!
@ Lynne – Maybe I should tell Santa you would like them at your house also!
@ Mary – When converted over to flash it does take some quality away! The camera was about a foot away from the birds on a tri-pod!
@ Pam – I thought about including the six minute clip but figured that would burn up all my usage for the day . These work and my dial up friends don’t want them too long!
22 December 2007 at 10:16 pm
They are so cute and so pretty-just love those red caps! Great videos
22 December 2007 at 10:29 pm
Beautiful…
22 December 2007 at 11:31 pm
Redpolls seem to be all over various blogs these days, but to date I’ve still never seen one (up north OR down south.) Thanks for sharing the photo, yet again.
23 December 2007 at 12:51 am
Those redpolls are awesome and tho I’ve seen many a purple finch (and house finch) these guys and gals must be a treat. I loved the movies. I’m going to have to try that. (rumor has it my camera is capable) I just love those wing bars! very cool! Great shots!
23 December 2007 at 4:44 am
Love their little red Santa hats! Just in time for Christmas. I’ll echo everyone else and say that I am feeling as green as the Grinch that you get to have these guys!
23 December 2007 at 6:29 am
Well, I just learned about a new bird (for me.) If I saw them at my feeder I would have thought they were some type of purple house finches. But after you pointed out the markings I’ll be able to identify one now. My fingers are crossed I’ll see one soon. Here’s hoping that they will fly into a city and land on a feeder between buildings. What’s the odds of that, ha? After Christmas we’ll take some hikes in the country. I’m so excited to see if I can spot one.
23 December 2007 at 6:59 am
This video made me so happy . . . such beautiful little birds, and yes their Christmas outfits are stunning!
23 December 2007 at 7:45 am
I love how they talk in the second video. 🙂
23 December 2007 at 7:47 am
I love to see them too…none this year yet, alas, but we got a snowy owl on the count yesterday.
23 December 2007 at 10:13 am
Love your videos, Tom. Thanks for sharing, especially since I would never see a redpoll here in my “Corner of the World.” ;o) I wish you joy and peace for this Christmas season, and a healthy and happy new year.
23 December 2007 at 11:08 am
@ Marg – they are the cutest birds for sure! Thanks
@ PInar – thanks
@ Lana – for good reason, they rock in the bird world! They seem to be all over NYS right now!
@ aullori – thanks and I captured these picture with my $100 some dollar point and shoot camera! Put the camera in the right place . . little patience . . va-voom!
@ jayne – They are cute for sure! Look out your feeders . . maybe you will find them!
@ Erie – so glad you learned about them and you could have them at your feeders and you are overlooking them! They can easily be overlooked for sure!
@ Lisa – so glad and it’s the AMGO in the second one, but love watching them fight!
@ threecollie – I must go over to your site to hear about this snowy!
@ Mary – thanks and sorry you don’t get to see these guys! I bet you have many birds that I never get to see though!
23 December 2007 at 11:58 am
love this video. it makes me happy watching it. ~nita~
23 December 2007 at 1:15 pm
Fabulous videos. Is the feeder sheltered from the rain I think I hear? What kind of bird seed do you use? I started with feeders outside this year, but found that the birds (white-crowned sparrows so far) only came by if the bird seed was on the ground. (They come in large groups which is really fun, but also scary because of neighborhood cats.) Maybe you could do a post on bird feeders/feeding for a novice like me.
On a couple days, my neighbor had a ruby-crowned kinglet cleaning the bugs off her outside potted plant that was more of climber – i.e. the bird clung to the vine while feeding.
23 December 2007 at 1:40 pm
Great videos. A lot of people in our region are getting Redpolls at their feeders, but I have yet to see one.
They don’t look shy at all. I will have to replenish my finch feeder with nyger seed.
23 December 2007 at 1:57 pm
Neat videos Tom, what beautiful birds, set up a great stage for bird shots over the weekend and then the 50 mph winds came thru and made short order of it.
Oh well I will get it sooner or later 🙂
23 December 2007 at 2:35 pm
How exciting and delightful! Until today I’d never seen a redpole. The video is so crisp. Thank you for your work!
23 December 2007 at 5:50 pm
@ Nita – so glad you enjoyed this!
@ NatureShutterbug – thanks and I am using thistle here, although Sunflower is my seed of choice! I will try to do something on feeders here in the future! Maybe I can do another video post of them??
@ Ruth – thanks and keep your eyes open! I have found them very skittish!
@ Bernie – we are getting the rain and wind now! Hope to get out tomorrow to do some birding!
@ Crayons – thanks and the original is much better quality! The conversion to flash looses detail!
23 December 2007 at 6:34 pm
And you’re worried about the Christmas Wren visiting your feeder when you have Repolls? I’ll trade you one 10 Wrens for 1 Repoll any day! At least with your video I’ll know when I see one, if and when a Redpoll does show up!
23 December 2007 at 8:45 pm
How funny that you should do a post on these guys. I was filling my feeders Saturday morning and a saw a “new” bird. Sure enough after I got the field guide out it turned out to be a Redpoll. They are a pretty little bird. It sure made my day!
23 December 2007 at 8:59 pm
@ Vern – is their something wrong with wanting everything for Christmas?? LOL! Thanks 🙂
@ Jeremy – so glad you had these guys at your feeder! They are wonderful birds for sure! Thanks!
24 December 2007 at 10:58 am
Glad that you are getting them. We have them around here now, but none at our feeders yet! But I’m hoping…
24 December 2007 at 4:14 pm
Marty, keep your eyes open they just might show up!
24 December 2007 at 10:17 pm
Great videos! I love watching all birds at the feeder!
25 December 2007 at 11:10 am
I think that I might believe in Santa Claus more than I believe in redpolls-I’ve been waiting for them to show up but so far no luck.
26 December 2007 at 8:05 pm