Finches, Euphonias, and Allies
Acanthis flammea
The Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) is a small, active finch found across the Holarctic. Known for its distinctive red forehead patch, this species is well-adapted to cold northern environments. Redpolls often travel in dynamic flocks, especially outside of the breeding season.
Typical adult measurements.
Individuals and populations vary.
01 / The telltale details
Start with shape and behavior. Then look for the smaller details.
All Redpolls have a small, bright red patch on their forehead, which gives them their name.
A small black patch on the chin is a consistent feature across all Redpolls.
The body plumage is generally brownish-grey with dark streaks, particularly on the back and flanks.
Adult males typically display a variable pink or rosy wash on their chest and upper flanks.
02 / A place in the world
Redpolls breed in the Arctic and north temperate Holarctic tundra and taiga, favoring shrubby areas, clearings in birch or spruce forests, and thickets of willow or alder. In winter, they can be found in various semi-open environments, including woodland edges and weedy fields.
This species breeds across the Arctic regions of Canada, Europe, and Asia. During winter, Redpolls migrate southward, reaching southern Canada, the northern United States, and much of Europe and Asia. Vagrant individuals have been recorded as far south as Hawaii.
Redpolls are irruptive migrants, meaning their southward movements in winter are irregular and depend on food availability in their northern breeding grounds. When food sources like birch catkins are scarce, large numbers may move further south than usual.
03 / Listen a little closer
Their calls are described as sharp, buzzy, and electric, often heard as energetic trills and chatters within a flock.
04 / The life behind the feathers
Their diet primarily consists of small seeds, especially those from birch and alder trees. In summer, they also consume insects and spiders. Redpolls can store seeds in esophageal pouches, allowing them to forage quickly and digest food in sheltered locations.
Redpolls are active and acrobatic foragers, often seen fluttering and climbing among trees and weeds. They typically forage in flocks outside of the nesting season, sometimes shaking seeds from trees to eat them on the ground.
Nests are usually built in trees or shrubs, typically 1-2 meters above the ground, though sometimes in driftwood piles or on the ground near willows. The female incubates a clutch of 3-7 eggs, usually 4-5, for 10-11 days, with both parents tending the young.
Redpolls are social birds, often forming large, constantly moving flocks of up to several hundred individuals in winter. They are known for their ability to withstand extremely cold temperatures, partly due to increased plumage and the habit of tunneling into snow for warmth.
One more reason to pay attention
Redpolls can survive temperatures as low as -65 degrees Fahrenheit, aided by increased plumage in winter.
Some banded Redpolls have shown incredibly wide-ranging movements, with individuals recovered across continents.
The name 'Redpoll' comes from an old Middle English word 'pol' meaning head, referring to the red patch on its forehead.
05 / An eye for the difference
Pine Siskins have heavy streaking all over and lack the red forehead patch and black chin of a Redpoll.
House Finches are larger, lack the red forehead and black chin, and typically have more extensive red on the head and breast.
AI-assisted species research. Prepared September 2026. Details can vary across regions and populations.