Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2015-53


Common name:

Common Redpoll

Scientific name: [Acanthis flammea]
Date: 12/27/2015
Time: 9:30am
Length of time observed: 2 minutes
Number: 1
Age: adult
Sex:  
Location: Croydon, Utah
County: Morgan
Latilong:  
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: 50 feet
Optical equipment: Nikon 10x42 Monarch Binoculars and Cannon Power Shot SX50HS camera
Weather: very cold and sunny
Light Conditions: bright
Description:        Size of bird: small finch
(Description:)       Basic Shape: Pine Siskin
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: brownish/gray, white, and red
(Description:)            Bill Type: small seed cracking
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Small Pine Siskin shaped bird with yellow bill, black around base of bill to eye, red spot on forehead, reddish wash on breast, brownish/gray streaking on sides, brownish back, and white belly. The bird flew in a siskin or goldfinch type of flight.
(see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery: none
Behavior: feeding on ground below feeder flew between three different feeder locations
Habitat: backyard, a few bushes but most every thing is covered in 1 to 2 feet of snow
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Pine Siskin, they do not have red, black on face or yellow bill American Goldfinch, they do not have streaking or red on them
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
I have seen groups up Jeremy Ranch Road several different times in the last month. Also a few years back there were redpolls at our feeders almost everyday for over four months
References consulted: none
Description from: From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Weston Smith
Observer's address: 1375N 6800E Croydon, Utah 84018
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: none
Date prepared: 12/27/2015
Additional material: Photos
Additional_Comments: