Hoary Redpoll

Status Rare in winter. Hoary Redpolls have been reported in Nova Scotia only since 1959, when a "frosty-looking" bird was seen in a large flock of Common Redpolls at Lower Canard, Kings County, on 27 December (R.W. Tufts). Three such birds were seen at Gaspereau, Kings County, on 13 March 1960, and one collected there on 15 March was confirmed by W. Earl Godfrey as a Hoary Redpoll. The next four were seen on 18 January 1969 near Halifax by Jean Boulva and Robert Gauthier; and on 22 February 1969 Charles R.K. Allen saw one at Kennetcook, Hants County. Since then, individuals have been reported, sometimes as "probables" but with convincing details, on 18 May 1977 on Sable Island (McLaren 1981a); 27 December 1977 at Fenwick, Cumberland County (R. Burrows); 26 March 1978 at Green Bay, Lunenburg County (C. Cohrs); and, in Halifax, on 4-5January 1981 (M. Clark) and 1-2 March 1982 (probably two birds, S. Cohrs and I.A. McLaren).

Remarks Common Redpolls are sometimes misidentified as Hoary Redpolls by the overenthusiastic, but the frosty appearance and plain white rump, unstreaked in the centre, are distinctive, although the rump is readily seen only when the birds fly off at close range. Another good mark is the Hoary Redpoll's smaller bill, which gives its face a "squashed-in" appearance. The Hoary Redpoll is a rarer, more northern bird than its more common cousin. Recent work casts some doubt on its status as a distinct species.