Not too make thIngs more complicated but when it comes to redpolls one can be opening a birding can of worms known as the "redpoll complex" Some recognize only 1 species of redpoll some folk think there are as many as 7 Right now I think there are 4 or 5 subs of common and at least 2 of Hoary All redpolls show extensive plumage, size, and vocal variability and hybridization between common and hoary is fairly common. In many borderline id scenarios alot of birders will convince themselves that its a certain bird due to what they need or want it to be.Havent seen pics of the bird so am not myself saying wether its a common or hoary Think the best idea would be to collect the Iowa bird to get a positive ID (though we all know what "birder can of worms" that would open) -Mike Brady __________________________________________________ ########################################################### * Audubon Society of Missouri's * * Wild Bird Discussion Forum * *---------------------------------------------------------* * To subscribe or unsubscribe, click here: * * https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 * *---------------------------------------------------------* * To access the list archives, click here: * * http://po.missouri.edu/archives/mobirds-l.html * * * * To access the Audubon Society of Missouri Web * * Site: http://mobirds.org * ###########################################################