Chinese White-browed Rosefinch

Overview

The Chinese white-browed rosefinch (Carpodacus dubius) is a true finch in the family Fringillidae. It was previously considered a subspecies of the Himalayan white-browed rosefinch but was up-ranked to full species status based on phylogenetic analysis.

Identification

• Males feature a bright pink face and underside, while females are brown and streaked with paler underparts.
• The beak is short and conical.
• The species emits a rapid series of nasal bleats.

Habitat

Found in central China and eastern Tibet, this bird inhabits temperate forests, shrublands, semi-open scrub, and forest edges at elevations of 3000–4800 meters. It usually resides in hilly, scrubby habitats, sometimes extending to lower elevations.

Diet

Adapted to a granivorous diet, the Chinese white-browed rosefinch feeds on the ground in small groups.

Did you know?

The nest is constructed as a cup of twigs, grasses, mosses and shreds of birch bark, lined internally with very fine grasses and hairs, and generally contains between 4 and 6 eggs.