American Robin and Common Redpoll

First robin of the year.

Carduelis flammea

Common Redpoll male, perched on clothesline

We have had the redpolls here since January. They like the shelled sunflower seeds and the suet cakes, as well as the birch tree seeds. One interesting fact is that they have throat pouches for temporarily storing seeds. Sometimes they will fill their pouches and then fly to a more sheltered spot to eat.