Thu 12 Feb 2009
bird on upper right perch
A bird that is very likely a Hoary Redpoll was seen at the feeder of Darrell and Janet Friday, the same folks who had the Spotted Towhee. See Eddie Callaway’s post about the towhee for their telephone number.
I saw the bird on Sunday, 2/8 and managed to get one photo before the birds flushed. The subject is among a flock of 10 or so birds. It is very pale, with completely unstreaked undertail coverts and belly, and little or no flank streaking along the upper breast. The bird is a male, with a pale rosy wash on the upper breast, much paler than male Common Redpolls. The bill is slightly smaller than the Commons, but the subject does not appear to have a flat, or “pushed in” face as mentioned in some books. I believe that this feature is generally related to the feathering on the lores and face. This bird lacks an all black bib and lores. It only has some black highlights and tips on the feathers where the bib should be, so I suspect that it may be a young male that hasn’t completed a molt.
Please remember to call the Fridays first and obtain their permission before going to look for the bird.