# 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. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Typically found breeding on rocky alpine tundra, talus slopes, and cliffs above the treeline, shifting to lower elevation valleys and plains in winter. ![Black Rosy-Finch](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/167491830/medium.jpg) Photo: John Rosford, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/167491830) ## Appearance 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Fringillidae - **Genus:** Leucosticte ## Interesting facts - 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. ## Special abilities - **Gular Pouch Storage:** Possesses a specialized pouch under the tongue that allows it to store and transport seeds and insects over long distances to feed its young. - **Snowfield Foraging:** Utilizes stark alpine snowfields as natural traps, efficiently spotting and collecting wind-blown insects that become frozen and immobilized on the snow. - **High Altitude Tolerance:** Adapted to low-oxygen environments with specialized cardiovascular systems, enabling active foraging and breeding at elevations exceeding 11,000 feet. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 14+ cm - **Wingspan:** 30+ cm - **Weight:** 0.022+ kg - **Lifespan:** 5+ years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3+ - **Incubation:** 12+ days - **Migration Distance:** 300 km ## Diet & Feeding 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. - **Age differences:** 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. - **Primary Foods:** Grass seeds, Sedge seeds, Craneflies, Beetles, Ants - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Prairie Falcon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/prairie-falcon) (*Falco mexicanus*) — Preys on adult rosy-finches, especially when they are foraging in open alpine areas. - **Competitor:** [Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gray-crowned-rosy-finch) (*Leucosticte tephrocotis*) — Forms mixed-species winter foraging flocks and competes for similar alpine seed resources. - **Eaten by:** [Common Raven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-raven) (*Corvus corax*) — Frequently raids the nests of high-altitude songbirds, consuming eggs and nestlings. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black Rosy-Finch? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Black Rosy-Finch? 14+ cm ### What is Black Rosy-Finch's wingspan? 30+ cm ### How much does Black Rosy-Finch weigh? 0.022+ kg ### How long does Black Rosy-Finch live? 5+ years ### How fast can Black Rosy-Finch move? 40 km/h ### What does Black Rosy-Finch eat? 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. ### Where is Black Rosy-Finch usually found? Typically found breeding on rocky alpine tundra, talus slopes, and cliffs above the treeline, shifting to lower elevation valleys and plains in winter. ## Where to spot - [Stratton's Independence Mine and Mill](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/strattons-independence-mine-and-mill) — Colorado, US · Historic Site ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Black Rosy-Finch: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rosy-finch)