Bird GuideFinchesBrown-capped Rosy-Finch

At a Glance

Rosy-finches in general are birds of the Arctic and alpine zones, but this one inhabits the high peaks of the Rockies from Wyoming south to New Mexico. Even where highways take the observer to areas above treeline, this species can be elusive in summer, seeming to favor the most remote and barren cliffs and isolated snowfields. In winter, when the birds move to lower elevations, they are often much easier to find, even coming to feeders in valley towns.
Category
Finches, Perching Birds
Conservation
Endangered
Habitat
Desert and Arid Habitats, High Mountains
Region
Rocky Mountains, Southwest
Behavior
Flitter, Rapid Wingbeats, Undulating
Population
85.000

Range & Identification

Migration & Range Maps

Moves to lower elevations in autumn and winter, tending to move farther downhill in winters of heavier snowfall. Migration is all altitudinal, does not seem to move south of breeding range.

Description

5 3/4-6 1/2" (15-17 cm). Pink wash on belly, rump, and wings, much less obvious on females. Male Brown-capped Rosy-Finch lacks the gray nape of Black Rosy-Finch and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch. Note range (Colorado and nearby areas).
Size
About the size of a Robin, About the size of a Sparrow
Color
Black, Brown, Pink, Red
Wing Shape
Pointed
Tail Shape
Notched, Square-tipped

Songs and Calls

A series of low cheep notes are uttered to maintain contact in the flock. In the mating season the male gives a similar song during a long, circular, undulating flight.
Call Pattern
Falling, Flat
Call Type
Chatter, Chirp/Chip, Hi

Habitat

Very much like that of Black Rosy-Finch.

Behavior

Eggs

3-5. White, unmarked. Incubation is by female only, about 12-14 days.

Young

Both parents feed the nestlings. Young leave the nest about 18 days after hatching, and may remain with parents through end of summer and into the fall. 1 brood per year.

Diet

FEEDING. Diet and feeding behavior are very similar to those of Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch

Nesting

At high elevations where this bird nests, snow may cover nesting sites until late June in some years. Birds may be already paired when they arrive at breeding areas. Nest site is in a crevice or hole in a cliff, sometimes a very narrow crevice where the nest is quite inaccessible; sometimes under a rock, in mine shaft, or in abandoned building. Nest (built by female) is a bulky cup of moss, grass, weeds, rootlets, lined with fine grass and sometimes with feathers or animal fur.

Climate Vulnerability

Conservation Status

Uncommon and local. Its isolated mountaintop habitats are likely to be especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Climate Map

Audubon’s scientists have used 140 million bird observations and sophisticated climate models to project how climate change will affect the range of the Brown-capped Rosy-Finch. Learn even more in our Audubon’s Survival By Degrees project.

Climate Threats Facing the Brown-capped Rosy-Finch

Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. The same climate change-driven threats that put birds at risk will affect other wildlife and people, too.

Explore More