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Black Rosy-Finch

leucosticte atrata

The Black Rosy-Finch is a resilient and captivating songbird that thrives where few other birds dare to venture: the wind-swept, high-altitude alpine zones of the western United States. Renowned for its extreme hardiness, this species nests in the crevices of sheer cliffs and rocky talus slopes, far above the treeline. During the brief alpine summer, they can be seen hopping across snowfields to harvest cold-stunned insects. As winter descends, these high-country specialists undergo an altitudinal migration, moving down into mountain valleys and basin shrublands, often forming swirling, highly active flocks with other rosy-finch species. Their survival in such unforgiving terrains makes them an exciting find for birdwatchers and a symbol of montane endurance.

Lebensraum: Typically found breeding on rocky alpine tundra, talus slopes, and cliffs above the treeline, shifting to lower elevation valleys and plains in winter.

Aussehen

This medium-sized finch measures about 14 to 17 centimeters in length and is easily distinguished by its striking, dark coloration. It features a body of deep charcoal-black that contrasts beautifully with bright pink or rosy washes on its wings, rump, and lower belly. A prominent, light gray band wraps around the back of its black crown, giving it a hooded appearance. Females and juveniles are overall more muted, with grayish-brown bodies, but they still retain subtle pink highlights on their wings and tail. Its stout, conical bill is black during the breeding season but turns a dull yellow with a dark tip in the winter.

ReichAnimaliaStammChordataKlasseAvesOrdnungPasseriformesFamilieFringillidaeGattungLeucosticte

Black Rosy-Finch

Kategorie

Vögel

Seltenheit

Common

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Snaps

Mach den ersten Snap!

Interessante Fakten

During winter storms, they descend in large, synchronized flocks that can contain thousands of individual birds representing multiple rosy-finch species.

Their nests are typically built so deep within rock crevices that they are completely shielded from wind, rain, and most predators.

They are one of the highest-altitude nesting birds in North America, with nests documented well above 11,000 feet.

Besondere Fähigkeiten

Possesses a specialized pouch under the tongue that allows it to store and transport seeds and insects over long distances to feed its young.

Utilizes stark alpine snowfields as natural traps, efficiently spotting and collecting wind-blown insects that become frozen and immobilized on the snow.

Adapted to low-oxygen environments with specialized cardiovascular systems, enabling active foraging and breeding at elevations exceeding 11,000 feet.

Maße und Details

Länge: 14+ cm
Flügelspannweite: 30+ cm
Gewicht: 0.022+ kg
Lebenserwartung: 5+ Jahre
Top Speed: 40 km/h
Gelegegröße: 3+
Brutzeit: 12+ Tage
Zugstrecke: 300 km

Ernährung und Fütterung

Mainly eats seeds and insects, heavily relying on wind-blown insects trapped on high-altitude snowfields during the breeding season, transitioning to seeds in winter.

Altersunterschiede: Chicks are fed a protein-rich mixture of insects and seeds transported in the parents' throat pouches, while adults eat a higher percentage of seeds in the winter months.

Hauptnahrung

Grass seeds
Sedge seeds
Craneflies
Beetles
Ants

Nahrungssuche

Foraging

Ökologische Zusammenhänge

eaten by

Prairie Falcon

Falco mexicanus

Preys on adult rosy-finches, especially when they are foraging in open alpine areas.

competitor

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch

Leucosticte tephrocotis

Forms mixed-species winter foraging flocks and competes for similar alpine seed resources.

eaten by

Common Raven

Corvus corax

Frequently raids the nests of high-altitude songbirds, consuming eggs and nestlings.

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Sicherheit

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

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Häufig gestellte Fragen

Wie identifiziert man Black Rosy-Finch?

Der einfachste Weg, Black Rosy-Finch zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.

Was ist der/die/das länge von Black Rosy-Finch?

14+ cm

Was ist der/die/das flügelspannweite von Black Rosy-Finch?

30+ cm

Was ist der/die/das gewicht von Black Rosy-Finch?

0.022+ kg

Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Black Rosy-Finch?

5+ Jahre

Was ist der/die/das top Speed von Black Rosy-Finch?

40 km/h

Was frisst Black Rosy-Finch?

Mainly eats seeds and insects, heavily relying on wind-blown insects trapped on high-altitude snowfields during the breeding season, transitioning to seeds in winter.

Wo findet man Black Rosy-Finch normalerweise?

Typically found breeding on rocky alpine tundra, talus slopes, and cliffs above the treeline, shifting to lower elevation valleys and plains in winter.