Red-mantled Rosefinch
Carpodacus rhodochlamys
Typical of rosefinches, the male is brightly colored and the female is streaky brown. Male is pink with a pale brow, lightly spangled cheeks, and sandy brown back and wings. Female is dull brown with streaking on the back and on the undersides. Inhabits middle to high elevation montane and hill forests, primarily in coniferous patches. Descends into open edges, village outskirts, and gardens in the winter. Calls are wheezy, somewhat plaintive buzzes; song is a jumbled series of call notes and whistles.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Carpodacus rhodochlamys
- Authority
- (Brandt, JF, 1843)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Carpodacus
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- PAL : sc to nc Palearctic in Tien Shan and Altai mts., in montane forest and alpine meadows: se, e Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, nw Xinjiang, Altay and Tuva (sc Russia) and w, n Mongolia
- Non-breeding range
- to lower elevation gardens, villages
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pallid Dove
Leptotila pallida
A rather plain medium-sized dove, mostly restricted to western Ecuador but also occurs in western Colombia and extreme northwestern Peru. Within range, the main confusion species is White-tipped Dove. Pallid Dove has notably darker and warmer brown upperparts that contrast more with the whitish underparts. Like other members of the genus, Pallid is typically found on the ground (or flushing up into the understory). It is most often seen walking on roads or trails, or flying across quickly. There are a few places where it visits feeders. Within its limited range, it is fairly common, but be careful to separate from the equally (or more) common White-tipped Dove. Listen for its low-pitched, single “hoo” call.
Scarlet Tanager
Piranga olivacea
Breeding males are unmistakable: brilliant red with black wings and tail. Females and nonbreeding males are dull yellow-olive with dark wings (blacker on males, grayer on females). Compare with female Summer Tanager, which has a longer bill and less contrast between wing and body color. Breeds in mature deciduous forests, usually staying high in the canopy. Migrants are also usually found in mature woodlands. Winters in northern South America. Occasionally visits feeders in the spring, especially after periods of rain or cold weather. Listen for burry song, like an American Robin with a sore throat.
Gray-backed Tern
Onychoprion lunatus
A medium-sized tern of the tropical Pacific. Similar to Sooty Tern, but the back is gray (not black) and the white patch on the forehead extends behind the eye. Note deeply forked tail. Nests on the ground and occasionally on ledges on tropical islands. Rarely seen from shore.
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