Hoary Redpoll in Scott County
2013-01-01

Occasional in Scott County in the Winter season

A flock of about 25 common redpolls have been coming to our feeder for about 3 weeks. A few days ago one "fat" one arrived. Today a second one arrived. I finally found the word I was looking for in Sibley's and that was "fluffier". Other indications of a Hoary are frosty back, overall lighter coloring and less streaking. What really sets them apart from the all other birds is their behavior. These are some laid back northern visitors. When all the other birds are startled and flush these guys just sit there. They even tucked their head under their wings and took naps under the feeder during the day. This morning at first light one was under the feeder looking like a campfire marshmellow with faint pink streaking. First time for redpolls at our feeder in rural Scott county.

David C. Keyes