Immature Redpoll: Copper-headed bird

A Redpoll that merits a post of its own —  perhaps an immature bird? — perched on the red auger, with the soft steel blue of a grain bin behind. 

Redpolls winter in our part of the Prairies. At least, this year, that's what they are doing. Their habits seem a bit irregular; many people have commented that they've not seen these birds before. 

The copper-topped ones are fairly rare. In the flock I photographed, which comprised hundred of birds, I only noticed a handful with variations on this copper-top colouring. All the rest sported shades and intensities of vibrant pink chests and bright red caps. 

As this Redpoll's colouring is half-way between the juvenile and mature bird, I wondered if perhaps it was immature...

Redpoll with a copper cap.   © SB

What is this? A Redpoll, perhaps an immature bird.
Location: Near Muenster, Saskatchewan, Canada. 

Photo dates: February 18, 2013. 

~~~~~

Range of Redpolls: Pale, copper, scarlet, red northern birds

A recent treat: A large flock of Redpolls, congregating around an auger beside a granary filled with Canola seeds. The Redpolls ranged from well streaked browns with vibrant red chests (Common Redpolls?) to extremely pale birds with only a hint of pink on their chests (Hoary Redpolls?), with several copper-capped birds (immature?) and one that was very mottled and dark (juvenile?).

Yes, lots of questions, re: identification, because these small northern birds are tricky. Apparently, the very light birds may summer on Arctic tundra, while the darker, brighter birds come south in winter from the Boreal forests. Makes sense, so far as camouflage, I guess, if that's all there was to it... Whatever the background, the range of colouring was lovely to see.

So on with the Redpoll show. First, a potential Hoary Redpoll, marked with a hint of pink on its chest.

Very pale male Hoary Redpoll - from its absence of streaking on chest and underside.
Almost imperceptible pink chest markings.   © SB

Next, because they were such a treat, a juvenile/immature redpoll — brown-streaked, with beige/gray feathers and a copper cap on its head, along with an orange-scarlet bird. 

Very brown, very shy bird. A juvenile? © SB

A male Redpoll with a scarlet/orange cap and breast markings. © SB

And finally, a few of these lovely northern birds that look more like classic Common Redpolls:

A male Redpoll so bright, it looks like it was dipped in raspberry juice; with female.
(At right, another immature copper-headed redpoll?) © SB

The auger and grain bins, on a white winter day.© SB 

What are these? Redpolls — Common Redpolls, with Hoary Redpolls, juvenile Redpolls and immature Redpolls. (The ones with red chest markings are male.)   

Location: Near Muenster, Saskatchewan, Canada. 

Photo dates: February 18 to 21, 2013. 

~~~~~

Common Redpolls: Winter Prairie Visitors

Common Redpoll
in seed-scattered snow © SB

This winter, small flocks of Common Redpolls have graced our bird feeder in Regina, Saskatchewan.

These small northern songbirds nest in the Artic, and spend the winter further south in balmy climates like ours, where the temperature ranges down to minus 30C, and below.

Both males and females in this finch family have dark red caps; in addition, the males also sport bright rosy breasts.

In our yard, at least, the Redpolls have been ground feeders — scurrying across the snow to peck at seed tossed down by our regular avian visitors, the House Sparrows.

Common Redpoll fluffed up against the cold. © SB

What are these? Common Redpolls
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Photo date: January 11, 2013. 

~~~~~