Blanford's Rosefinch
Agraphospiza rubescens
Attractive medium-sized finch of subalpine coniferous areas; may move down to upper foothills in the winter. Male is predominantly pinkish raspberry-red with a white vent and lower belly. Female is plain brown all over with some rufous tones in the wings and on the rump; unlike female Vinaceous Rosefinch, she lacks streaking on the breast. Forages on the ground, in pairs in the summer and in flocks during the winter. Song is rich and consists of repeated whistled phrases; calls include persistent cheeps and metallic notes.
Identification
Blanford's rosefinch (Agraphospiza rubescens) or the crimson rosefinch, is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, and Nepal. Its natural habitat is boreal forest. Blanford's rosefinch was formerly placed in the genus Carpodacus with the other rosefinches. It was moved to the monotypic genus Agraphospiza based on the results from the phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. It differs from rosefinches in the genus Carpodacus. Both sexes have unstreaked plumage, the bill is thinner and less conical, the wings are more pointed and it has a shorter tail. Its common name commemorates the English zoologist William Thomas Blanford.
Taxonomy
Genus: Agraphospiza; Family: Fringillidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Agraphospiza rubescens
- Authority
- (Blanford, 1872)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Agraphospiza
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
Migration pattern: Vertical migration.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Pigeon Guillemot
Cepphus columba
Small jet-black seabird of coastal areas of the Pacific. Breeding plumage is black with bold white wing patch and bright red legs. Plumage changes dramatically in winter to whitish overall with dusky markings on body and black wingtips. Often found in shallower coastal waters than other alcids and regularly seen from shore. Dives to hunt for fish and invertebrates. Nests in crevice or burrow in a cliff or around large rocks.
White-browed Bulbul
Pycnonotus luteolus
A plain brownish bulbul that is endemic to the bottom half of peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Ubiquitous inhabitant of scrubby habitat across its range and sometimes overlaps with Yellow-throated Bulbul in rocky scrub. Although both species have a yellow vent and can sound similar, White-browed can be distinguished by its brown face and white eyebrow. Usually occurs in pairs and tends to skulk in undergrowth. Rather noisy but uncommonly seen, listen for regular, short bursts of distinctive raucous babbling.
Gray-headed Swamphen
Porphyrio poliocephalus
A very large bluish-purple waterbird with a red bill and forehead shield, as well as red legs and feet with long toes. The tail is flicked up often, revealing fluffy white “underpants.” Juveniles are duller than adults and lack the red bill and shield. An inhabitant of marshy, vegetated freshwater bodies such as swamps, rivers, and lakes; usually in small groups. Feeds, often clumsily, at muddy water edges, in reeds, and on floating vegetation. Makes short nasal grunts and croaking sounds. Formerly part of the species known as Purple Swamphen.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.