The desert finch, sometimes called Lichtenstein's desert finch, is a large brown true finch found in southern Eurasia. Its taxonomy is confused, and it has formerly been placed in Fringilla, Bucanetes, Carduelis and Rhodopechys.
Region
Middle East and Central Asia
Typical Environment
Found from the Levant and Arabian margins through Iraq and Iran to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and western Afghanistan, with scattered occurrences into Pakistan. It favors arid and semi-arid country with scattered shrubs and trees, including wadis, stony deserts, and cultivated edges near oases. Tamarisk stands, acacia-lined drainages, and desert foothills are typical sites. It often occurs near reliable water but can range widely after rains when annual plants seed.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as Lichtenstein's desert finch, it is a large, sandy-brown true finch of arid landscapes across the Middle East and Central Asia. It shows striking pale wing panels and white tail tips in flight. The species is often nomadic locally, tracking seed crops and temporary water. It is the sole member of the genus Rhodospiza, reflecting its long-taxonomic history.
Rhodospiza obsoleta
Eggs of Rhodospiza obsoleta MHNT
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
undulating flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often in small to medium flocks outside the breeding season, especially around water and seeding plants. Pairs nest in shrubs or small trees, sometimes loosely colonial where habitat is patchy. Nesting coincides with periods of seed abundance after rains.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song is a simple series of soft twitters and trills. Calls are nasal, wheezy chirps and ringing notes that carry over open desert.
Plumage
Sandy-brown above with paler underparts and a clean, plain look; flight feathers darker, creating a contrasting pale wing panel. In flight, shows conspicuous white tail tips and pale wing flashes with a faint pinkish wash in some individuals. Bill is large, pale, and strongly conical.
Diet
Primarily feeds on seeds of desert grasses and chenopods such as saltbush, as well as tamarisk and other shrubs. Takes buds and small plant material when available. During the breeding season, supplements diet with small insects to feed young.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the ground and low shrubs in open desert, wadis, and edges of cultivation near oases. Frequently visits watering sites in early morning and late afternoon.
