Dark-rumped Rosefinch Carpodacus edwardsii Scientific name definitions

16–17 cm; one female 26·5 g. Rather large, large-billed, dark rosefinch with slightly notched tail. Male nominate race has side of lower forehead, upper lores and supercilium bright pale pink, rest of lores, upper cheek and ear-coverts to side of neck maroon; centre of forehead to crown, nape and upper­parts brown, tinged pink, broadly streaked darker, rump and uppertail-coverts unstreaked; tail blackish-brown, edged warm reddish-brown (broadler towards base); upperwing dark brown or blackish, finely edged pinkish-brown (browner when worn), fine paler or brighter pink tips on greater coverts, flight-feathers edged dull crimson, tertials more broadly edged and with broad pale pinkish-white tips; lower cheek and side of foreneck to chin and throat bright pink, finely spotted or tipped whitish or pale pink; breast maroon or dark crimson (finely fringed paler), paler or pinkish-brown on lower breast, belly and flanks, flanks finely streaked black, undertail-coverts brownish-buff; iris black; upper mandible brown, lower mandible paler horn; legs dark flesh-brown. Differs from Procarduelis nipalensis in paler pink supercilium and side of throat, dark rump, no reddish tinge in upperparts, and no red on forehead and forecrown; from male C. rodochroa is larger size, less slim appearance, and darker and duller pink coloration. Female is almost entirely dull buffish-brown; forehead pale buff, finely spotted darker, lores greyish, upper forehead to crown and nape finely streaked blackish, upperparts more broadly streaked, rump and uppertail-coverts paler and uniformly tawny-brown; tail dark brown, edged paler buff-brown, upperwing dark brown, median and greater coverts edged tawny and tipped pale buffish-brown, secondaries edged paler brown or buffish, tertials broadly fringed pale buff to buff-brown; face finely streaked dark brown or blackish, narrow pale buff or yellowish-buff supercilium (may be finely streaked darker) from behind eye to side of nape; chin and throat (to moustachial area) pale whitish-buff, streaked dark brown, streaks extending more broadly onto brownish-buff underparts, lower belly to undertail-coverts slightly paler and more finely streaked; bare parts much as for male. Juvenile is like female, or upperparts slightly duller brown and underparts darker brown (contrasting pale chin and throat), heavily and clearly streaked darker; first-summer male like juvenile, but with pinkish tinge on crown and upperparts, pale pink wash on supercilium and ear-coverts, brownish breast heavily washed deep pink. Race rubicundus differs from nominate in having upperparts more heavily washed crimson, heaviest or deepest on crown to mantle, back and rump, less brown belly and undertail-coverts, female darker or duller brown and more heavily streaked.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Undergrowth of montane and submontane juniper (Juniperus), dwarf rhododendron (Rhododendron) and silver fir (Abies pindrow) and birch (Betula) forests, also dense bamboo clumps, barberry (Berberis) and thorn-scrub and rose (Rosa) thickets in river valleys, on open hillsides and in alpine meadows; at 3050–4270 m. In non-breeding season found in similar or more open forests with rhododendron and birch, scrubby hillsides with bamboo clumps, occasionally in dense hemlock (Tsuga) forest, at lower levels; 2000–3700 m in Nepal, 2600–3400 m (occasionally down to 1600 m) in Bhutan, and down to 1060 m in W China.

Resident and altitudinal migrant. Descends to lower levels between Oct and mid-Apr.

Mainly small seeds, including those of grasses (Gramineae) and wild rose, also some fruit, including fallen crab apples (Malus); sips nectar from rhododendron flowers. Forages on ground, usually close to cover, rarely at any height in bushes or trees; generally shy or skulking, and quickly dives into cover when disturbed. Singly and in small family groups; in non-breeding season in flocks of up to twelve individuals, and up to 40 together on passage through Bhutan. Shares foraging-habitat preference with Rufous-breasted Accentor (Prunella strophiata).

Song undescribed. Calls a short or abrupt, metallic "twink", "tswii"or "zwiih"; alarm or anxiety note a rasping "che-wee".

No definite information. Thought to breed around Jun–Aug period, nesting in rhododendron bushes in forest.

Not globally threatened. Uncommon or scarce in most of range. Local and generally uncommon in Nepal, but more numerous in non-breeding season; locally common to scarce in China; locally common in N Myanmar.