Illustration © David Allen Sibley.
Learn more about these drawings.
Text © Kenn Kaufman, adapted from
Lives of North American Birds
Photo: Brian E. Small/Vireo
Acanthis hornemanni
Conservation status | Still common and widespread, but like other birds in the high Arctic, may be vulnerable to the effects of climate change. |
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Family | Finches |
Habitat | Thickets, tundra scrub. In winter, also woodland edges, fields. Breeds in brushy places of far North, especially in low thickets of willow, alder, or dwarf birch on open tundra, sometimes along forest edge. Compared to Common Redpoll, tends to nest in more open or barren habitat. In winter, also found around woodland edges, brushy or weedy fields. |
4-5, sometimes 3-6, rarely 7. Pale green to blue-green, with reddish brown spots concentrated at larger end. Incubation is by female only, about 9-14 days. Male feeds female on nest during incubation. Young: Probably both parents feed the nestlings. Young leave the nest about 9-14 days after hatching.
Probably both parents feed the nestlings. Young leave the nest about 9-14 days after hatching.
FEEDING. Diet and feeding behavior very similar to those of Common Redpoll
Does not seem to defend nesting territories; several pairs may nest fairly close together, perhaps because good nesting sites tend to be concentrated in small patches surrounded by tundra. In courtship, male feeds female. Nest: Placed within a few feet of the ground in dense low shrubs, sometimes on the ground. Nest (built by female) is a small open cup of grass and plant down, sometimes with fine twigs, rootlets, leaves, lined with ptarmigan feathers and sometimes animal hair.
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