Leucosticte
tephrocotis
(Gray-crowned
Rosy Finch)
Physical
Description:
5 3/4-6 3/4" (15-17 cm). Has brown body, pink on flanks, blackish
forehead, and gray patch extending behind eye and over crown. Female is less
colorful.
Similar Species- Other finches
Song:
A brusk tchew-tchew-tchew-tchew; also a chattering call.
Distribution:
Breeds from Alaska, portions of western Canada, and northwestern Montana,
south through mountains to east-central California, Utah, and northern New Mexico.
Winters from southern Alaska and portions of southwestern Canada, south to eastern
California, southern Nevada, northern New Mexico, and northeastern Nebraska.
Habitat:
Found in barren, rocky, or grassy areas and cliffs,
among glaciers or beyond timberline. During migration and in winter, also found
in open situations, fields, cultivated lands, brushy areas, and aroung human
habitation. One of only 2 species in Idaho that nests exclusively in alpine
habitats. Gray-crowned Rosy Finch is suspected but unconfirmed as a nesting
species in these habitats in Idaho.
Diet:
Eats seeds and insects.
Ecology:
Builds cup-shaped
nest on ground, cliff, or human-built structure. Males typically outnumber females
in breeding and wintering populations. During breeding season, male defends
"territory" around female wherever she moves. When not breeding, individuals
form large flocks of up to 1000+ birds. Species forages on ground, gleans insects
from vegetation, or may take insects from air.
Reproduction:
Female incubates 4-5 eggs for 12-14 days.
Young are tended by both adults, and leave nest at about 20 days. In Aleutians,
eggs are laid in late April-July, clutch size is 3-6 eggs, fledging
occurs at 15- 22 days, and female produces 2 broods/yr.
Conservation:
Element Code: | ABPBY02030 |
Status: | Protected nongame species |
Global Rank: | G5 |
State Rank: | S4 |
National Rank: | N5 |
Important
State References:
No references are available at this time.