Blyth's rosefinch or the Himalayan rosefinch, is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is found in northern Afghanistan to the western Himalayas. Its natural habitats are temperate forest and boreal shrubland. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the red-mantled rosefinch.
Region
Western Himalayas and Hindu Kush
Typical Environment
Blyth’s rosefinch occupies high-altitude slopes, forest edges, and alpine scrub dominated by juniper, birch, and rhododendron. It ranges from northern Afghanistan and adjacent Pakistan eastward into the western Himalayas of India, with local movements tied to snow cover and seed crops. In summer it frequents subalpine scrub and krummholz, shifting lower in winter to sheltered valleys and forest margins. The species prefers mosaic landscapes with dense shrubs for cover and open patches for foraging.
Altitude Range
2400–4800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Himalayan rosefinch, this species inhabits high montane scrub and forest edges from northern Afghanistan through the western Himalayas. It has at times been treated as a subspecies of the red-mantled rosefinch. Pairs and small groups often make short altitudinal movements following food availability. Its sturdy, conical bill is well adapted to husking tough seeds in cold, windswept habitats.
Temperament
wary and moderately gregarious
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with undulating passages
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs during the breeding season and in small flocks in winter. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low in dense shrubs or small conifers. Likely monogamous, with the female incubating while the male guards and forages nearby.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
The male delivers a sweet, warbling series of finch-like phrases from a perch within scrub. Calls include sharp metallic tink notes and soft contact chips, becoming more frequent when birds are in loose flocks.
