Wednesday, February 17, 2021

MA - February notes on Redpolls 7 : more exilipes

 

1a. Hoary Redpoll - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 8th, 2021.
Perhaps it's a little bold calling a Hoary Redpoll in flight but I followed this one and it proved to be good. 
Unfortunately the perched shots are not worth sharing but a few more flight images of this bird can be seen below. 

A few more shots of Hoary Redpolls from Whately last week. As usual, at least some of them should be regarded as tentative identifications. It was extremely difficult getting close to these birds and often very tricky trying to follow a promising looking individual before it flushed. 


1b. Hoary Redpoll - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 8th, 2021.

1c. Hoary Redpoll - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 8th, 2021.
Nice lightweight flank streaks, very white undertail coverts, white rump and overall gray plumage on whitish ground color. 

1d. Hoary Redpoll - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 8th, 2021.
Images 1a through 1d are all of the same individual. 


2a. Hoary Redpoll (upper left) - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 9th, 2021.
With a tight group of Common Redpolls. Overall very white below with light flank streaking, one distinct streak on the undertail coverts, ochre-buff face 
color with only lightly streaked auricolor, and white fluffy 'baggy trousers'. 

3a. Hoary Redpoll - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 10th, 2021.

3b. Hoary Redpoll (top left) - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 10th, 2021.
At rest with a group of Common Redpolls.

3c. Hoary Redpoll - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 10th, 2021.
Pretty much a classic individual with small 'pushed-in' bill, lightly streaked auricolor and flank, very white appearance including rump and lightly streaked undertail coverts. However, the shot below does show exaggerated streaking on the undertail coverts during preening. Initially I was a little concerned by this but I do
think the overall suit of features shown by this individual point overwhelmingly to a Hoary Redpoll and not a pale Common Redpoll

3d. Hoary Redpoll - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 10tth, 2021.
All four images 3a through 3d show the same individual.






























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