A New Visitor

 

After viewing the same feeder birds all winter, a small flock of different birds descended on the scene.

These visitors don’t show up in our state (MN) every year. They are what is called an irruptive species. They only show up when their food is scarce in Canada.

The Common Redpoll is a bird the size of an American Goldfinch with a red cap, black chin, and some streaking on the side of the breast. Some have blush on their breasts, especially the males.

Since these birds normally roam the woods of Canada, they do not fear people. They can be approached easily. When you fill the feeder, they don’t fly away.

It was nice to see a bit of variety popping up among the everyday birds.