Laura Erickson's For the Birds

This lovely, sparkling little bird can survive temperatures down to an astonishing -88º F. That was established in a laboratory, not the wild, but this hardy creature can remain in its Arctic range throughout the winter. Redpoll retinas do have more rod cells than most songbirds, but how these tiny creatures survive the endless, frigid nights as most birds retreat is anyone’s guess.

Fortunately for birders, at least some Hoary Redpolls do retreat south in winter. They’re vastly outnumbered by the closely related Common Redpolls, but picking through a flock in search of pale, “frosty” individuals with unstreaked undertail coverts and rumps, and slightly shorter bills, is often rewarded. Even when there are no Hoaries to be found, searching through any flock of redpolls is rewarding simply because even “Common” Redpolls are uncommonly adorable.

When I did my Big Year in 2013, the very first bird my binoculars focused on was a Hoary Redpoll, which seemed an auspicious beginning to what proved to be a splendid year.