Great Rosefinch

Carpodacus rubicilla (Güldenstädt, 1775)

		male female
2021-07-16 Naryn region 2020-12-23 Inylchek gorge (Inylchek river valley)	© Tatiana Menshikova © Philippe Campeau

Biology

Rare winter visitor, or may be very rare resident. In winter inhabits deciduous forest with scrubs, especially places with bastard acacia, forest-belts and gardens. In summer it was observed on alpine meadow among large boulders and rocky outcrops. Appears in end November in small groups and flocks up to 30-50 birds. Latest recorded in early March. At Chokpak Pass 20-21 October 1970 singles observed in forest-belt, one was caught 12 April 1970. On Pamir at 4100 m the nest found in rock crack 26 July 1960. It was made from twigs, grass and rootlets lined with lay of hair. It contained 5 heavy incubated blue rare spotted eggs, fledglings observed in end August.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. Полный определитель птиц европейской части России / Под общей редакцией д.б.н. М. В. Калякина: В 3 частях. - Часть 3. М.: ООО "Фитон XXI", 2014.