Pale Rosefinch Carpodacus stoliczkae stoliczkae occurs in Kunlun Mountains in Xinjiang and into western Qinghai and beicki is in eastern Qinghai and southern Gansu. HABITAT & BEHAVIOR Arid mountains, often on rocky, barren slopes; sometimes in ravines near running water. Can be tame, especially around water. No other rosefinch tolerates such arid habitat. In summer to 3500 m (11,480 ft.), in winter down to 1600 m (5,250 ft.). ID & COMPARISON Both sexes are very pale and largely unstreaked. Male has pink, white-speckled forecrown extending into a supercilium; crimson forehead, lores, ocular area, and chin; pinkish-white ear coverts, throat, and breast, with some white wash or spotting; fading to buff on flanks and belly. Crown (with slight blackish streaking), plain upperparts, wings, and tail darker grey-brown; rump and uppertail coverts pale pink. Female almost entirely sandy-brown, darker above and lighter below, with slight blackish streaking on crown. BARE PARTS Bill greyish-horn; feet grey-brown. VOICE Cheeps like a sparrow; cheerful, melodious song with some buzzing. — Craig Brelsford
THE ROSEFINCHES OF CHINA
shanghaibirding.com covers all species in the genus Carpodacus in China. Click any link:
Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus
Scarlet Finch C. sipahi
Streaked Rosefinch C. rubicilloides
Great Rosefinch C. rubicilla
Red-mantled Rosefinch C. rhodochlamys
Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch C. pulcherrimus
Chinese Beautiful Rosefinch C. davidianus
Pink-rumped Rosefinch C. waltoni
Pink-browed Rosefinch C. rodochroa
Dark-rumped Rosefinch C. edwardsii
Spot-winged Rosefinch C. rodopeplus
Sharpe’s Rosefinch C. verreauxii
Vinaceous Rosefinch C. vinaceus
Pale Rosefinch C. synoicus
Tibetan Rosefinch C. roborowskii
Sillem’s Rosefinch C. sillemi
Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinch C. sibiricus
Chinese Long-tailed Rosefinch C. lepidus
Pallas’s Rosefinch C. roseus
Three-banded Rosefinch C. trifasciatus
Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch C. thura
Chinese White-browed Rosefinch C. dubius
Red-fronted Rosefinch C. puniceus
Crimson-browed Finch C. subhimachalus
See also:
Taiwan Rosefinch Carpodacus formosanus
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Daniel Bengtsson served as chief ornithological consultant for Craig Brelsford’s Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, from which this species description is drawn.
