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Difference between revisions of "Spectacled Finch" - BirdForum Opus

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'''Alterntive names: Red-browed Finch; Red-spectacled Finch; Red-browed Rosefinch'''
;Callacanthis burtoni
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[[File:BF Spectacled Finch TS.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo &copy; by {{user|tony.saw |Tony Saw }}<br />Tungnath Trek, Utterakhand, [[India]], 8 February 2023]]
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;[[:Category:Callacanthis|Callacanthis]] burtoni
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
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17-18 cm. A large finch with a conical bill and a distinctive face pattern.
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* Scarlet forehead and spectacles on black head
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* Rusty mantle
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* Some red streaks on underparts
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* Black wings with large white carpal patch and spots on coverts, tertials and tips of flight feathers
 +
* Notched black tail with white outer rectrices and tips (sometimes worn off)
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* Heavy yellowish bill
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Females are paler and greyer with yellow spectacles and a dusky rather than black head. Also no red in plumage.<br />
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Juveniles have a plain brown head with faint indication of spectacles and brownish wings with white markings.
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
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Found in the [[Himalayas]] from northwest [[Pakistan]] east to [[India]] and [[Nepal]] to Sikkim in northeast [[India]].<br />
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A restricted range species, scarce to locally common in its range. Very few records from Sikkim.
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
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This is a [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>.
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
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Temperate conifer and rhododendron forests at 2270 to 3350 m.<br />
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In more open areas in non-breeding season, along forest edge, grassy slopes and roadsides. Down to 1800 m in winter, sometimes lower.
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
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====Diet====
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Feeds mainly on tree seeds, buds and shoots of deodars and spruce. Takes also rhododendron bark and berries.<br />
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Forages on the ground in the open or under bushes, also in lower levels of trees.<br />
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A rather shy and unobtrusive species, hops on the ground and flies only short distances when disturbed. Usually seen in pairs or in small family groups. In larger flocks of up to 40 birds in non-breeding season.
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====Breeding====
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Breeding season from mid-May to August. A [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monogamous]] and territorial species, however territories are apparently small. The nest is a large shallow cup made of strong twigs, pine needles, lichens, plant fibres, dry roots, feathers and animal hair. It's placed 3 to 21 m above the ground on a branch of pine or of fir. Lays 3 eggs.
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====Movements====
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Not well known, occurs at lower elevations in non-breeding season. Possibly some altitudinal and short-distance shifts.
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==References==
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#{{Ref-Clements6thOct22}}#Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved April 2015)
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{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
{{GSearch|Spectacled+Finch}}
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{{GSearch|"Callacanthis burtoni" {{!}} "Spectacled Finch" {{!}} "Red-spectacled Finch" {{!}} "Red-browed Rosefinch"}}
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{{GS-checked}}1
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<br />
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<br />
  
 
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[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Callacanthis]]
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Missing Images]]
 

Latest revision as of 20:10, 12 September 2023

Alterntive names: Red-browed Finch; Red-spectacled Finch; Red-browed Rosefinch

Photo © by Tony Saw
Tungnath Trek, Utterakhand, India, 8 February 2023
Callacanthis burtoni

Identification

17-18 cm. A large finch with a conical bill and a distinctive face pattern.

  • Scarlet forehead and spectacles on black head
  • Rusty mantle
  • Some red streaks on underparts
  • Black wings with large white carpal patch and spots on coverts, tertials and tips of flight feathers
  • Notched black tail with white outer rectrices and tips (sometimes worn off)
  • Heavy yellowish bill

Females are paler and greyer with yellow spectacles and a dusky rather than black head. Also no red in plumage.
Juveniles have a plain brown head with faint indication of spectacles and brownish wings with white markings.

Distribution

Found in the Himalayas from northwest Pakistan east to India and Nepal to Sikkim in northeast India.
A restricted range species, scarce to locally common in its range. Very few records from Sikkim.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species[1].

Habitat

Temperate conifer and rhododendron forests at 2270 to 3350 m.
In more open areas in non-breeding season, along forest edge, grassy slopes and roadsides. Down to 1800 m in winter, sometimes lower.

Behaviour

Diet

Feeds mainly on tree seeds, buds and shoots of deodars and spruce. Takes also rhododendron bark and berries.
Forages on the ground in the open or under bushes, also in lower levels of trees.
A rather shy and unobtrusive species, hops on the ground and flies only short distances when disturbed. Usually seen in pairs or in small family groups. In larger flocks of up to 40 birds in non-breeding season.

Breeding

Breeding season from mid-May to August. A monogamous and territorial species, however territories are apparently small. The nest is a large shallow cup made of strong twigs, pine needles, lichens, plant fibres, dry roots, feathers and animal hair. It's placed 3 to 21 m above the ground on a branch of pine or of fir. Lays 3 eggs.

Movements

Not well known, occurs at lower elevations in non-breeding season. Possibly some altitudinal and short-distance shifts.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved April 2015)

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

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