Overview
Redpolls are tiny arctic-breeding finches that visit Vermont in large numbers every few years. These years are known as "irruption" years when arctic-breeding birds travel south in large numbers due to food shortage in the north. For finches, this means a failure of northern cone and seed crops they feed on. When they visit Vermont, they will visit backyard bird feeders. Redpolls are able to survive temperatures as low as -65°F by digging tunnels in the snow and storing food in a special throat pouch to eat overnight.
