Common redpolls (Acanthis flammea) are small songbirds in the finch family that are found throughout northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. They are highly nomadic birds that move around in search of food, particularly seeds from birch, alder, and willow trees. Here is a quick overview of where common redpolls can be found throughout the year:
Breeding Range
During the summer breeding season, common redpolls primarily live in northern coniferous forests across Canada, Alaska, northern Europe, and Russia. Some of the key breeding areas include:
- Canada: Central and northern Canada including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador
- Alaska: Mainland and coastal regions of Alaska
- Europe: Northern Scandinavia, Russia, Scotland, Baltics
- Asia: Northern Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan
They nest in small cavities in trees, often conifers, laying 3-5 eggs. The female incubates the eggs for 10-12 days until they hatch. Both parents feed the nestlings for around 2 weeks until they are ready to leave the nest.
Winter Range
In the winter, common redpolls may stay in their northern breeding areas but many migrate farther south in search of food. Their winter range can be highly variable depending on food availability. Some key wintering regions include:
- Canada: Southern Canadian provinces including southern British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia
- United States: Northern states including northern California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Midwest, Northeast, Alaska, Pacific Northwest
- Europe: Ireland, Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Baltic countries
- Asia: Southern Russia, Mongolia, northern China, Japan
During winter, they form large nomadic flocks of up to several hundred birds that wander across the landscape feeding on seeds. The flock sizes swell and shrink throughout the season as they find patches of food.
Migration
Common redpolls are irruptive migrants, meaning their migration habits vary dramatically from year to year depending on food supplies. In some years they may not migrate very far from their breeding grounds if food is plentiful. In other years when food is scarce farther north, they may migrate in large numbers to more southern regions.
They are strong fliers capable of long-distance migration. Banding studies show they may migrate distances anywhere from a few hundred miles to over 1,100 miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. Their migrations generally take place at night.
Some of the key migration flyways used by common redpolls include:
- Western flyway: Alaska to western Canada and western United States
- Central flyway: Central Canada to Midwest United States
- Mississippi flyway: Eastern Canada to eastern United States
- Atlantic flyway: Northeastern Canada to northeastern United States
Habitat
Common redpolls use a variety of open, northern habitat types including:
- Coniferous forest – nest and feed in mature conifers such as spruce, pine, fir
- Birch forest – feed on birch seeds in winter
- Alder thickets – nest and feed in dense alder stands
- Willow scrub – feed on willow seeds and buds in winter
- Weedy fields – forage for seeds from weeds and grasses
- Backyard feeders – readily visit feeders with small seeds
They are flexible in using diverse habitat types across their range as long as there are sources of small seeds available. Trees and shrubs that produce large amounts of small seeds, such as birch, alder, and willow, are particularly important for winter survival.
Range Maps
Here are some range maps that provide an overview of where common redpolls occur throughout the year:
Breeding Range
Map shows breeding range across northern North America and Eurasia. Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Winter Range
Map shows typical winter range but this can vary dramatically between years. Source: Audubon
Migration Routes
Map shows major migration flyways in North America. Source: The Birds of North America.
Population and Conservation Status
The global population of common redpolls likely numbers in the tens of millions but can fluctuate significantly between years. In North America, the Partners in Flight landbird conservation plan estimates a population of about 15 million. Population trends are unclear due to their irruptive migration habits but they are still considered common across their range.
The 2016 State of North America’s Birds report listed common redpolls as a species of low conservation concern with their population considered secure. They face no major threats at present. With their vast range across northern climates, they are not vulnerable to habitat loss and climate change effects may increase their range farther north. Maintaining healthy northern forest ecosystems will ensure common redpolls remain a thriving species.
Conclusion
In summary, common redpolls are a circumboreal species found across northern forests of North America, Europe, and Asia. Their breeding range centers on the coniferous forests of Canada, Alaska, and northern Eurasia. They are irruptive migrants that in some years wander south in large numbers across Canada and the northern United States in search of food. They are flexible in using diverse northern habitats from mature conifer forest to weedy fields and backyard feeders. With large populations, few threats, and an extensive range, the common redpoll remains a hardy and thriving species across the northern regions of the world.