Bird of the Week – Hoary Redpoll
Around the holidays, WC likes to post a bird that is at least kind of Christmasy. The challenge is that Alaska just doesn’t have that many Christmasy birds, and WC is starting to have to reach a bit. Here’s a Hoary Redpoll.
Hoary Redpoll, Chevak, Alaska
A paler version of its more ubiquitous Common Redpoll cousin, the Hoary seems to prefer more northerly habitat. On a day when WC might have 100 Common Redpolls at this feeders, there might be just one or two Hoarys. There’s some excitement about Hoary Redpolls in ornithological circles; bird researchers haven’t figured out their taxonomy. For WC, it’s enough that they a bright, active spot of color and warmth on a cold winter morning.
Happy holidays, everyone.
Camera geek stuff: f5.7, 1/250 ISO100
For more bird photos, please visit Frozen Feather Images.
Same here..neverever..had seen one..but the heck with ‘taxonomy’..the lil dudes KNOW..who They are. Beautiful..and sturdy sorts..in such fine plumage. Verrrry fine..indeed!
That’s odd . . . I looked up the word “hoary” in my dictionary, and found a picture of Mike from Iowa.
Happy holidays, WC. I’ve never before seen a Hoary Redpoll; thank you.