Collared Grosbeak

Overview

The collared grosbeak (Mycerobas affinis) is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae that may be the largest in the diverse finch group. It is found across the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, primarily within the Himalayas.

Identification

• Adults are large, ranging from 22 to 24 cm in length, with a massive bill measuring 2.7 to 2.9 cm.
• Adult males feature glossy black heads, upper-wings, and tails, contrasting with a rich, deep yellow body and an earthy brownish collar around the neck.
• Females and juveniles appear olive-green on the back with yellowish underparts, lacking the black facial markings of adult males.
• The male's song consists of a clear, loud, rising whistle of five to six notes, while the flight call is a rapid, mellow 'Pip-pip-pip-pip-uh'.

Habitat

This species inhabits mountainous deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests, often associated with stands of maple, oak, or rhododendron. Its range includes Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand, where it breeds at elevations between 2,700 and 4,200 m before descending to as low as 1,060 m in winter.

Diet

The collared grosbeak feeds on a variety of seeds, pine cones, nuts, fruits such as crab apples, and buds or shoots, which it plucks with its strong bill. It may also consume insects, mainly caterpillars, and snails.

Did you know?

Although the collared grosbeak may be the largest species in the finch family, it is not significantly bigger than several other species in the same family, and its breeding behaviour remains entirely unknown.