Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus thura Scientific name definitions

17–18 cm; 24–36 g. Medium-sized, conical-billed, slender rosefinch with long and slightly notched tail. Male nominate race has forehead and supercilium  deep pink or bright pinkish red, supercilium tapering and becoming whiter on side of nape, fine white or pale pink feather tips on upper edge of forehead and supercilium; lowermost forehead, lores and cheek  deep crimson, broad eyestripe from eye to side of nape dark brown; upper forehead to side of nape and upperparts  brown, tinged grey, broadly streaked blackish, rump and uppertail-coverts deep pink, longest coverts with dark brown centres; tail black, finely edged brown; upperwing dark brown or blackish brown, median coverts tipped pale whitish pink, greater coverts edged brown to warm brown and tipped pale whitish buff, flight-feathers edged pale or dull pink, tertials more broadly fringed pale buffish; ear-coverts and side of neck to underparts bright pink, finely streaked silvery white on rear ear-coverts, lower side of neck, chin and throat; flanks tinged brownish and often finely streaked darker, undertail-coverts white; in worn plumage, white tips on face, chin and throat and pale tips on median and greater coverts reduced or absent, and dark streaks on upperparts duller or less distinct; iris dark brown or black; bill brown or brownish horn; legs flesh-grey to dark brown. Female has lower forehead pale buffish brown, upper forehead to nape and upperparts brown or olive-brown, broadly streaked blackish, rump bright yellow with blackish feather centres, uppertail-coverts duller, tail black, feathers broadly edged pale brown at base; upperwing blackish brown, finely edged paler brown and tipped pale buffish brown (double wingbar), flight-feathers finely edged paler brown, tertials broadly edged pale buffish brown; long, broad creamy buff to brownish supercilium becoming pale buff or whitish towards rear and tapering over rear ear-coverts; broad dark brown or blackish eyestripe from eye to rear ear-coverts; lores, cheek and ear-coverts buffish white, spotted or heavily streaked blackish; chin and throat  to breast rusty buff or gingery brown, heavily streaked blackish brown, streaks extending onto pale buff or whiter rest of underparts  , lower flanks washed warm buff, undertail-coverts yellowish white, finely streaked darker; bare parts much as for male. Juvenile is like female; first-winter and first-summer males have lower back and rump rich buff or reddish brown, tips of greater coverts pale brown, chin to breast deeper warm rufous or orange-brown than adult female (breeds in this plumage). Race blythi male has upperparts paler than nominate, underparts duller pink or tinged purple or lavender, female has buff (not whitish) supercilium, buff-brown chin to breast streaked darker.

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

Until recently considered conspecific with C. dubius; see that species. Race blythi apparently intergrades with nominate to unknown extent in N India–W Nepal. Two subspecies recognized.

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.

Breeds in undergrowth along forest edges and in clearings, also treeless boulder-covered slopes and ridges mostly above treeline with creeping juniper (Juniperus communis) and dwarf willow (Salix denticulata), alpine meadows, dwarf rhododendrons (Rhododendron), bamboo, and birch (Betula), juniper and barberry (Berberis) scrub above treeline, also in open fir (Abies) forest often admixed with rhododendron; at 2400–3330 m in Afghanistan, 2400–3950 m in N Pakistan, 3050–3360 m in Kashmir, 3800–4200 m in N India and Nepal, and 3000–4200 m in Bhutan. In non-breeding season found in similar habitat and open hillsides with scrub, mostly at lower levels, down to 2400–3800 m, exceptionally down to 1900 m (in Bhutan).

Resident and altitudinal migrant. Part of population descends short distances in non-breeding season, between Oct and Mar, but many remain at high altitudes throughout even severe winters. Race blythi a vagrant in Ladakh, mostly in spring.

Variety of seeds , buds and shoots of alpine and subalpine herbs and shrubs, also some berries, including barberries, and blackberries and raspberries (Rubus), and juniper berries. Forages on the ground and in low bushes; hops and walks on ground; perches in bushes and trees. Usually tame and approachable. In pairs and in small, loose flocks; in non-breeding season often in single-sex flocks of up to 15 or more individuals, comprising mostly males or immature males, and may associate with other finches, including C. edwardsii and Mycerobas carnipes.

Song of nominate  rarely heard, from top of tall tree, mid Jun to end Jul, a short series of loud, short whistles followed by 3–4 short warbled notes and then several longer whistles, transliterated as “drit-drit-drit-drit, quip-quip-quip-quip, dreep-dreep-dreep-dreep”. Call a soft “wid”, used for contact by partners or family groups, also a hoarse or sharp buzzing “deep-deep-deep-de-de-de-de” and more prolonged and bleating “veh ve ve ve ve ve ve”, and loud rapid piping “pupupipipipi” usually given from ground, also loud “pwit-pwit” in flight; race blythi has loud sharp whistling “pwit-pwit” note, similar to that of Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea).

Poorly known. Season late Jun to Aug. Loosely colonial; territorial, with rather small territory size. Nest a large shallow cup of grass, dry leaves, moss, plant stems, seedpods and animal hair, placed low down in juniper, dwarf willow or thorn bush. Clutch 3–4 eggs, pale greenish blue, sparsely spotted with black. Some breed in first summer. No further information.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Common to locally common in much of range; scarce resident in N Pakistan, and uncommon or scarce in NE India (Arunachal Pradesh). In Bhutan, locally the commonest wintering rosefinch. This species’ population level is not known, but it is thought not to be at any immediate risk.