Dark-breasted Rosefinch

Overview

The dark-breasted rosefinch (Procarduelis nipalensis) is a medium-sized finch belonging to the monotypic genus Procarduelis. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its large range and stable population.

Identification

• Males display vibrant dark pink plumage with a lighter throat and eyebrow stripe.
• Females are subdued dark brown with conspicuous light-colored wingbars and no underpart streaking.
• Vocalisations include a characteristic wheezy sparrow-like 'wheer'.

Habitat

Found across Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam, the species naturally inhabits boreal forests and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland. It typically breeds in shrublands above the tree line and mixed forests containing rhododendron.

Diet

This bird forages on the ground in pairs or small groups, searching for seeds and berries.

Did you know?

Formerly placed in the genus Carpodacus, the dark-breasted rosefinch was moved to Procarduelis based on phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences.