Blyth's Rosefinch
Carpodacus grandis
A relatively large rosefinch with a heavy, pale bill. The male has a mottled-pink eyebrow and cheeks and dull pink underparts. The female is brownish overall with strong streaking and a pale, lightly streaked supercilium. Best told apart from other similar rosefinches by the combination of large size, large bill, and relatively short wings and tail. Feeds on the ground. Found in high montane regions in conifer forests, or above treeline. In winter, descends to gardens and groves.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Carpodacus grandis
- Authority
- Blyth, 1849
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Carpodacus
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- PAL : sc Palearctic in Pamirs and Karakoram mts., in montane forest and alpine meadows: n Afghanistan and Tajikistan, n Pakistan, Ladakh and ne Himachal Pradesh (far nw India)
- Non-breeding range
- to lower elevation gardens, orchards
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Straw-necked Ibis
Threskiornis spinicollis
Blackish ibis with white neck and underparts, beautiful iridescence on upper parts visible in good light. Adult has ‘straw-like’ plumes on neck, which are absent in juveniles. Often flies in formation at high altitudes, with flock sizes varying greatly. Typically feeds in grassland habitats, farm paddocks, and sporting fields.
Chinese Barbet
Psilopogon faber
A brightly-colored inhabitant of tropical forest canopies. Slow moving and well camouflaged; its loud and far-carrying song, combined with its secrecy, ensure that it is usually heard far more often than seen. If seen well, combination of red-and-yellow throat, blue ear, black crown, and green body distinguish it from any other similarly sized birds in its range. Regularly visits fruiting trees.
Black-headed Jay
Garrulus lanceolatus
Largely gray with a black head, a scruffy crest, white streaks on the throat, and a pale bill. The wings and tail are blue through the middle with black barring, leading to thick black and white bands. It is omnivorous and feeds on the ground and in the trees. It can be quite bold and often occurs around human habitation, where it may feed off garbage dumps and agricultural land. The calls include a few raspy and nasal variants of a harsh “kraaa.”
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