Arctic Redpoll

Polar Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni )

Description

The 13 to 15 inches measured bird resembles the Redpoll, but is lighter and has a frosted. The rump is ungestreift and pure white, the eye-catching wing-bars are white. The back has a gray color and stands out from the bright head and the bright, little striped saddle -like from bottom.

The breast of the male has only a faint pink approach, the female lacks the reddish hue. Males and females wear a crimson crown. His voice resembles that of the Birkenzeisigs, the individual notes are but clearly separated.

Habitat

There are two subspecies, C. h hornemanni from Greenland and the Canadian neighboring islands as well as C. h exilipes from North America and Eurasia. The Greenland race is bigger and brighter, sometimes mostly white. In Europe, the Polar Redpoll breeds only in northern Scandinavia. In winter he stayed throughout Scandinavia and the Baltic States, Roving end go to Iceland, the United Kingdom and Central Europe.

Way of life

He is a bird of tundra, which breeds in dwarf birch and low scrub usually. The nest consists of four to five eggs, after 9-14 days, the boys fledge. Birch seeds, besides also insects are the main food of the Polar Birkenzeisigs. In several places, for example in northern Norway, he is unlimited mixed couple with the Redpoll.