Snowfinch
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M. nivalis |
The snowfinches are the genus Montifringilla of passerine birds. Despite the name, they are Old World sparrows, not true finches. In Europe, Snowfinch is often used as a synonym for the White-winged Snowfinch.
As the English and scientific names suggest, these are high–altitude species, found in the mountain ranges of southern Eurasia from the Pyrenees east to the Himalayas, Tibet and western China. Most snowfinches breed above 3500 m, but the White-winged Snowfinch can occur from 1800 m upwards. Snowfinches are not migratory but may move to lower altitudes or human habitation in winter, when these highly gregarious birds form large flocks.
These are hardy birds of bare open mountain grassland. They nest in rock crevices, or more typically in the holes of rodents and, especially, pikas. The typical clutch is from 3-6 eggs.
Snowfinches are stocky sparrows 13.5-17 cm in length, with strong conical bills. They have pale brown upperparts, white underparts and extensive white panels in the wings, which transform them in flight. Adults may have black markings on the chin or around the eyes. Sexes are usually very similar, although the male White-winged Snowfinch has a distinctive grey head. Young birds are a drabber version of the adult.
Montifringilla sparrows are primarily ground-feeding seed-eaters, though they also consume small insects especially when breeding. They are typically fearless, and will forage around ski resorts, human habitation and rubbish tips.
They have simple repetitive songs, given from a rock or during the elaborate circling display flight. The call is a simple chip or similar.
[edit] Species list
- White-winged Snowfinch, Montifringilla nivalis
- Black-winged Snowfinch, Montifringilla adamsi
- White-rumped Snowfinch, Montifringilla taczanowskii
- Père David's Snowfinch, Montifringilla davidiana
- Rufous-necked Snowfinch, Montifringilla ruficollis
- Blanford's Snowfinch, Montifringilla blanfordi
- Afghan Snowfinch, Montifringilla theresae
- Tibetan Snowfinch, Montifringilla henrici
[edit] References
- Clement, Harris and Davis, Finches and Sparrows ISBN 0-7136-8017-2
- Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterstrom and Grant, Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0-00-219728-6
- Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic
[edit] External links
- Snowfinch videos on the Internet Bird Collection
