Leucosticte atrata
male
The Black Rosy-Finch is a smart-looking, plump songbird. The sexes are dissimilar. Adult males have mostly blackish plumage with a rosy-pink belly and patch on the wings, and a gray rear crown. Adult females are similar, but with muted colors and black elements of the male’s plumage tinged gray. Juveniles are gray overall, with two pink wingbars and pale edges to the flight feathers.
The Black Rosy-Finch is present in its Rocky Mountain range year-round. However, there is considerable altitudinal migration and dispersal during the winter months as a result of unpredictable snowfall. Outside the breeding season it forms flocks that feed at the edges of snow patches.
female
FACT FILE
LENGTH 6 in (15 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates, seeds, and berries
HABITAT Alpine habitats, above the treeline
STATUS Locally common
VOICE Song is a series of chuup notes. Call is a sharp chuup
