Common or Hoary Redpoll?
Outdoor Ontario

Common or Hoary Redpoll?

anatum · 7 · 1848

anatum

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Happy 2017 everyone!
Found this redpoll in Kapuskasing last week but am not sure how to ID it. I think it has dark streaking making it a Common but am not sure how dark is dark relative to the Hoary.

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


thouc

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Probably a Common, but without seeing the rump and undertail coverts it's hard to make a conclusive ID.

/Thomas
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


anatum

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Thanks Thomas.
Not sure if this shot is helpful but here goes
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


Reuven_M

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COmmon and Hoary Redpoll are probably best considered a single species, but regardless this is well towards the Common end of the spectrum. Brownish and heavily streaked all over, including on the undertail coverts
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


anatum

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Thanks for your help guys.
I didn't know that in some circles they are considered the same species.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


GStuart

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Here is an article based on relatively current research at Cornell University examining differences and similarities of Common, Hoary and Lesser Redpolls.  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/from-many-one-how-many-species-of-redpolls-are-there/
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


anatum

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Very interesting read. Thanks for sharing it... but if I ever do see a "Hoary" I'd be too excited to not count it separately  :D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »