- Montifringilla nivalis
Identification
16.5-19 cm. Brown upperparts, white underparts, grey head, long narrow white wing panel. In summer, the bill is black, and there is a black bib; the bib disappears in winter and the bill becomes yellow. Sexes are similar.
In flight it shows black wings with large white wing panels, and a white edged black tail.
Distribution
Taxonomy
Seven subspecies: nivalis, leucura, alpicola, gaddi, tienshanica, groum-grzimaili, and kwenlunensis.
Both Tibetan Snowfinch and Black-winged Snowfinch have been included in this taxon in the past
Habitat
Mountains, mostly above the tree limit.
Behaviour
The diet includes seeds and insects.
It nests in crevices or rodent burrows, 3-4 eggs are laid.
