White-winged Snowfinch

Montifringilla nivalis (Linnaeus, 1766)

2015-07-03 Talas Alatau, Alabel pass.	© Oleg Belyalov

Biology

Rare, in places common resident. Inhabits rocks and cliffs on alpine meadows at 2700-3700 m, in winter lives in the same places, or descends to 1500-2000 m. Not shy, and builds their nests in houses, if available. Breeding in separate pairs fairly close each to other (loose colony), which are formed in April - May. Nest is built in crag crack, excavation or under boulder, in old marmot hole, in hole of clay precipice or in human habitation from dry grass lined with hair and feathers by female only. Clutches of 3-6, very rarely 7 eggs found in end May - early July (repeated probably), female incubates for 13-14 days. Both parents feed juveniles by insects and they fledge in end June - end July. Only one brood probably.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. Рябицев В. К., Ковшарь А. Ф., Ковшарь В. А., Березовиков Н. Н. «Полевой определитель птиц Казахстана», Алматы, 2014