A small finch of the far north. Adult male has black chin and lores, red crown, tiny yellow bill, and whitish body plumage with faint pink wash on breast, faint streaks on sides, light back with dark streaks, and black wings with broad white wingbars and white edging on secondaries. Female and first-year birds lack pink wash on breast. Paler, larger, and more fluffed-out overall than Common Redpoll.

Length: 14 (cm) Wingspan: 23 (cm)

Voice:

Chirps and trilled phrases, elongated buzz, and short chip notes; like Common Redpoll.

Habitat:

Open fields, hedges, weedy pastures, teasel, stands of birch and willow, suburbs.

Behavior:

Nest is an open cup placed in a small tree or shrub. Often in flocks, sometimes with Common Redpolls. Irruptive; reaches farther south in some winters than others.

Feeding:

Feeds on ground or among vegetation; eats small seeds and some insects. Sometimes visits bird feeders.