The great rosefinch is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is found in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, India, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan and east to China. Its natural habitats are tundra and temperate grassland.
Region
Central Asia and Himalayas
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Caucasus through the Pamir, Tien Shan, and Altai ranges to western China and Mongolia, and south to the Hindu Kush and western Himalayas. It favors alpine and subalpine habitats with scattered shrubs, boulder fields, and rocky scree. Typical vegetation includes dwarf juniper, rhododendron, willow thickets, sea-buckthorn, and rose bushes along streams and valley sides. In winter it descends to lower, more open steppe and shrubby valleys where food is available.
Altitude Range
2000–5000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The great rosefinch is a high-elevation finch of rocky slopes and alpine scrub, ranging from the Caucasus across Central Asia to western China and Mongolia. Males show striking rose-crimson tones in the breeding season, while females are cryptically streaked. It often descends to lower valleys in winter and may form small flocks. Its stout bill is well adapted to cracking hard seeds and hips of alpine shrubs.
Male in Hanle, Ladakh, India
Temperament
wary and somewhat secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with bounding flight
Social Behavior
Breeds in pairs or small loose groups, nesting low in shrubs or among rocks in a cup of twigs and grasses. Outside the breeding season it often gathers in small flocks, sometimes mixing with other finches at food-rich patches. Generally monogamous with both parents feeding the young.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song is a simple, sweet series of whistles and trills delivered from a shrub or rock perch. Calls include a metallic 'tink' and soft twittering notes, often given in flight.
Plumage
Male is largely rose-crimson with darker brownish mantle tones and faint streaking; wings and tail are dusky with pale edges. Female is brown to buff with heavy streaking above and below, giving a mottled, camouflaged look. Both sexes show a stout, conical bill and relatively long tail for a finch.
Diet
Primarily takes seeds, buds, and shoots of alpine shrubs and forbs, including rose hips and sea-buckthorn where available. Berries are eaten when in season. In the breeding season it supplements with small invertebrates such as beetles and larvae, especially for nestlings.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the ground and in low shrubs along rocky slopes, stream margins, and scrubby patches. In winter it frequents valley bottoms, field edges, and brushy steppe where seed-bearing plants persist.
