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Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch

Leucosticte tephrocotisOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Finches (Fringillidae)

Breeding Location:

Grassland with scattered trees, Mountains, Grasslands



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Colonial



Breeding Population:

Widespread



Egg Color:

White, sometimes with red brown spots



Number of Eggs:

4 - 5



Incubation Days:

12 - 14



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Grass, rootlets, lichen, and moss, lined with fine grass, plant down, and feathers.



Migration:

Some migrate



Splitbar

Overview

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Medium finch with brown body and pink on shoulders, flanks, and belly. Forehead is dark brown. The black bill turns yellow with a dark tip in the winter. Back of head and belly have gray patches. Forages in bushes, trees and on ground for seeds and insects. Bounding flight.

Range and Habitat

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Breeds from Alaska to California and descends to lower elevations near breeding areas in the winter. Prefers alpine tundra and high snowfields; winters in nearby lowlands.

Breeding and Nesting

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Four to five white eggs, sometimes with red brown spots, are laid in a bulky nest built in a rock cavity. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Eats seeds, vegetation, and insects; forages on the ground.

Readily Eats

Safflower, Apple Slices, Suet, Millet, Peanut Kernels, Fruit, Commercial Mixed Bird Seed

Vocalization

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Gives harsh "cheep, cheep" notes in flight.

Similar Species

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Black Rosy-Finch lacks brown back and breast. Brown-capped Rosy-Finch lacks gray on the head.

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Family Buntings, Finches, Sparrows (Emberizidae)_blue
Species Leucosticte tephrocotis
Length5.75 - 6 Inches
Wingspan9.25 Inches

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Medium finch with brown body and pink on shoulders, flanks, and belly. Forehead is dark brown. The black bill turns yellow with a dark tip in the winter. Back of head and belly have gray patches. Forages in bushes, trees and on ground for seeds and insects. Bounding flight.

● Song: "cheep-cheep-cheep"

● Foraging & Feeding: Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Eats seeds, vegetation, and insects; forages on the ground.

● Breeding & nesting: Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Four to five white eggs, sometimes with red brown spots, are laid in a bulky nest built in a rock cavity. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Black Rosy-Finch lacks brown back and breast. Brown-capped Rosy-Finch lacks gray on the head.

Flight Pattern

Bounding flight with several rapid wing beats.
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Breeds from Alaska to California and descends to lower elevations near breeding areas in the winter. Prefers alpine tundra and high snowfields; winters in nearby lowlands.
BreedingMonogamous, Colonial
PopulationWidespread
MigrationSome migrate
Weight0.8 - 0.9 Ounces