Acanthis Linaria (Common Redpoll)
~ 1828
About this artwork
This is a scientific illustration depicting two common redpolls, identified by the Latin name Acanthis linaria and the Swedish name Gråsiska. One bird, likely a female, feeds on a small cluster of seeds while the other, a male with a distinct pink breast, looks upwards from a lower branch.
Did you know?
The common redpoll (Acanthis flammea), or Acanthis linaria as it was historically classified, is renowned for its resilience in arctic and subarctic regions. These small finches undertake fascinating "irruptive" migrations, sometimes traveling far south in vast numbers during winters when food sources in their usual habitats become scarce, creating a spectacle for birdwatchers across temperate zones. They are highly adapted to feeding on small seeds, particularly from birch and alder trees, as subtly hinted by the branches in this illustration.
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Acanthis Linaria (Common Redpoll)
Wihelm Wright, ~ 1828
