Common rosefinch
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Carpodacus erythrinus

The common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus ) or scarlet rosefinch is the most widespread and common rosefinch of Asia and Europe.

Appearance

The common rosefinch is 13–15 cm (5.1–5.9 in) in length. It has a stout and conical bill. The mature male has brilliant rosy-carmine head, breast and rump; heavy bill; dark brown wings with two indistinct bars, and a white belly. Females and young males are dull-colored with yellowish-brown above, brighter on the rump and greyer on head; buff below.

Show More

Adults moult in their winter quarters, between September and November. After moulting the red of male is subdued, and becomes brighter during the winter due to wear of the feathers.

Show Less

Distribution

Geography

It has spread westward through Europe; in recent decades, it has been observed in Portugal, even breeding in England once. Common rosefinches breed from the Danube valley, Sweden, and Siberia to the Bering Sea; the Caucasus, northern Iran and Afghanistan, the western Himalayas, Tibet and China; to Japan between latitudes 25° and 68°. In winter they are found from southern Iran to south-east China, India, Burma, and Indochina. It occurs as a vagrant in Sri Lanka.

Show More

They are found in summer in thickets, woodland and forest edges near rivers and in winter in gardens and orchards, wetlands and locally in dry oak woods.

Show Less
Common rosefinch habitat map
Common rosefinch habitat map
Common rosefinch
Attribution-ShareAlike License

Habits and Lifestyle

The nest is placed low in a bush. The eggs are dark blue with coarse dark brown spots, and a typical clutch contains five eggs.

Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Population

References

1. Common rosefinch Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_rosefinch
2. Common rosefinch on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22720556/111130806
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/699842

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About