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Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea)

Relatives of Finches, Redpolls are anything but common in the southeast United States. They appear once in a great while during "invasion years", which are triggered by shortages of the birds' natural food up north. Common Redpolls breed in the northernmost trees in North America and in tundra scrub. They winter from the treeline south to the northern United States, making appearances further south during invasion years. Common Redpolls only have been recorded in South Carolina on 8-10 occasions.

This female Common Redpoll was discovered in improved suburban habitat 3 miles west of the southern Charleston peninsula, along the Stono River watershed. The bird was present from March 3, 2004 until March 6. Photo by Nathan W. Dias.

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