Southern 'exilipes' Hoary Redpoll?

[Rotarran]

Went down to the Spit today to see the Redpolls and they were there, but I'm not sure if I saw the Hoary.  The Hoary I saw in 2013 was quite a bit whiter than any Redpolls I saw today.  But then the 3 Hoaries reported at the spit are said to be 'exilipes' or Southern Hoary Redpolls which I think aren't quite as white.  So I tried to see if maybe this qualifies...its bill appears to be kinda stubby...not sure about the rest.


Thank you

[thouc]

It's a candidate, but without seeing the rump I wouldn't call it for certain. From the Sibley guide Redpoll index I would say the side streaking is a 4 and the undertail coverts a 5 or 6 (central part not seen in picture). Females are usually more streaked than males, so I would say a probable female Hoary Redpoll.

/Thomas

[Rotarran]

Thanks Thouc.  I have one other picture of the same bird:



Then there's this set of maybe the same bird or another, I'm not sure...they constantly move around so much then got up and flew in a circle and landed again, it was hard to keep track of any of the birds:

[thouc]

Undertail coverts looks like a 5, but unfortunately it's covering the rump. I'm 90 procent confident it's a Hoary with the overall frosty look too.

/Thomas

[Rotarran]

Ok cool, thanks Thomas.  Yeah the overall impression I get is not of a Common Redpoll.