Père David's snowfinch, also known as the small snowfinch, is a species of bird in the sparrow family.
Region
Mongolian Plateau and northern China
Typical Environment
Found across open steppe and semi-arid grasslands of Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Gansu, and adjacent parts of northern China, with occurrences reaching into Mongolia. Prefers sparsely vegetated plains, stony flats, and fallow fields with low shrubs or bunchgrasses. Frequently associates with areas of small-mammal burrows, which provide nesting sites and microhabitats. In harsher seasons it may descend slightly in elevation and utilize agricultural edges and pasturelands.
Altitude Range
500–3200 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the small snowfinch, this species belongs to the sparrow family and was first described from collections by the French missionary-naturalist Armand (Père) David in northern China. It often nests in the burrows of pikas or ground-squirrels and forages on open ground. Outside the breeding season it forms loose flocks and may mix with larks and other seed-eaters.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
low, undulating flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Breeds in loose colonies or scattered pairs, often utilizing rodent burrows for nesting. Outside the breeding season it gathers in small to medium-sized flocks that roam steppe habitats in search of seeds. Pairs defend immediate nest sites but are otherwise tolerant of neighbors.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, tinkling series of chirps and trills delivered from the ground or low perches. Calls include dry chips and twittering notes used to maintain flock cohesion.
Plumage
Compact, sandy-brown upperparts with fine darker streaking and clean whitish underparts with a buff wash on the flanks. Wings show a pale panel and contrasting dark flight feathers; tail dark with white outer feathers. Face rather plain with a pale eyebrow and subtle darker ear patch.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small seeds of grasses and forbs, supplemented with insects and other invertebrates, especially in the breeding season. Insects provide protein for growing chicks and are gleaned from soil surface and low vegetation. It will also take grain spillage and weed seeds around pastoral or agricultural areas.
Preferred Environment
Forages almost entirely on the ground in open steppe, stony flats, and around burrow systems of pikas and ground-squirrels. Frequently uses sparsely vegetated patches where seeds and insects are easy to pick.
