There are a number of reasons why I decided to take on this project. My first reason has to do with my interest in birds. This began shortly after moving to Victoria ten and a half years ago. With our house backing onto a wooded area, the chirping of birds is a familiar sound all year long. I often glance out the window to see birds of all forms in the yard throughout the day. Frequently I will pull out the Birds of Victoria or Birds of North America reference guides we have on hand. Unfortunately, the drawings in the first aren’t overly helpful for identification and the number of entries in the second is overwhelming. My second reason has to do with a photography course I took a number of years ago. Since that time I have been trying to think of a practical reason to buy a new camera. Taking pictures of birds requires a powerful zoom lens which my previous point-and-shoot camera could not accommodate. Perfect! My final reason was my desire to take on a new project to welcome in 2011. Hence, bird of the day was born.



Thursday, December 31, 2015

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammea 


Appearance: 
Small songbird
Short, notched tail 
Brown and white with heavily streaked sides
Red forehead
Small, pointed, yellow bill
Black feathering around bill
Two white wingbars
Pale red vest on chest and upper flanks (male)

Listen to its call.

While visiting Whistler, I saw a large group of these little finches perched in a deciduous tree along the roadside. It was bare of all leaves but was covered with tiny cones which the birds were feasting on. I think it was a Red Alder, one of the only deciduous trees with cones in the area as far as I'm aware.


Learn more about the Common Redpoll. 
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