Scarlet finch

The scarlet finch is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is found in the Himalayas from Uttarakhand state in the Indian Himalayas eastwards across Nepal, stretching further east to the adjacent hills of Northeast India and Southeast Asia as far south as Thailand. It is resident in the Himalayas, but many birds winter to the immediate south. Its natural habitat is temperate forests.

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Distribution

Region

Himalayas and Southeast Asia

Typical Environment

Occurs from the western Himalayas of northern India and Nepal across Bhutan to Northeast India and adjacent Myanmar, extending into southwest China (e.g., Yunnan) and northern Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Prefers montane broadleaf and mixed conifer forests, especially rhododendron and oak belts. Uses forest edges, clearings, and secondary growth, and can enter bamboo and shrubby thickets. Many populations move downslope in winter to nearby foothills and adjacent hill country.

Altitude Range

1500–3600 m

Climate Zone

Highland

Characteristics

Size16–19 cm

Wing Span25–30 cm

Male Weight0.04 kg

Female Weight0.035 kg

Life Expectancy7 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Males are a striking, almost uniform scarlet, while females are olive-brown and heavily streaked for camouflage in dense foliage. The species breeds in cool, montane forests and often makes short altitudinal movements in winter. It is sometimes placed in the monotypic genus Haematospiza, reflecting its distinct genetics from typical rosefinches.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

undulating with rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Outside the breeding season it often forms small flocks that forage in the canopy or along forest edges. Pairs are monogamous and nest in trees or tall shrubs, usually well concealed. During breeding it can become more secretive around the nest.

Migratory Pattern

Partial migrant

Song Description

Song is a pleasant, mellow warble interspersed with clear whistles and trills. Calls include soft chips and tinkling notes used to keep contact within flocks.

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Identification

Leg Colordark grey

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Male is largely uniform scarlet with darker wings and tail; female is olive-brown with heavy dusky streaking and a duller, yellowish-tinged rump.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Feeds mainly on seeds, buds, and berries from forest trees and shrubs such as rhododendrons and oaks. Will also take small insects and other invertebrates, especially during the breeding season to provide protein. Often plucks nectar-rich buds and soft fruits when available.

Preferred Environment

Forages high in the canopy and along forest edges, but also descends to shrubs and clearings. Frequently uses flowering or fruiting trees and mixed-species flocks at resource-rich patches.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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