I originally called this a Chipping Sparrow but Lynn is correct, it's a Redpoll, which makes much more sense.
According to the map at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology site, the chipping sparrows should be much further south this time of year and hopefully for them, they are!
Great shot....but definitely a Redpoll! They are winter birds and you would likely see them all winter if they find your feeder....lucky you! Probably a Common....though they are very hard to tell apart (the common and the hoary....Hoary's are a little whiter I think).
@lynnb thanks lynn! yes, now that you mention it, that makes much more sense. no black eye bar. we've had a couple of hoarys among dozens of commons in the jan/feb time frame that past couple of years. looks like they're here for the winter so i'll let you know if there's a hoary in the crowd! thanks again for your input. much appreciated.
