White-winged Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis Scientific name definitions

17–17·5 cm; 31–57 g. A large, plumpish, finch-like bird with relatively long wings  and tail; bill stout and pointed, longer in summer (with change in diet from harder seeds to softer insects). Male nominate race breeding has head to nape bluish-grey, black lores, black chin and throat separated from cheek by short pale stripe that joins bill; upperparts  rich chocolate-brown with paler brown feather edges and tips, rump and uppertail-coverts blackish; upperwing-coverts white, alula black, primaries  black with thin pale tips, secondaries white (wing showing much white, particularly in flight); tail  mostly white, central feather pair and tips of all rectrices black; underparts white, breast washed light brownish-grey; iris brown; bill and legs black. Non-breeding male is similar to breeding male, but duller above, head brownish-tinged (less grey), chin and throat white with small dark feather tips, bill  yellowish-horn with dark tip. Female is similar to male, but somewhat duller, with smaller, less well-defined bib; in non-breeding plumage very like non-breeding male. Juvenile is similar to female, but duller and greyer , with less white in wing and tail, bright orange-yellow bill. Races differ mainly in size and in plumage tones, to some extent also in bill length (but this requires more study, because of seasonal difference): <em>leucura</em> is larger than nominate, head  and neck greyish-brown; alpicola is also larger and paler than nominate, grey of head somewhat bleached and brownish, back greyer brow; gaddi is larger and generally darker; tianshanica has upperparts paler, black on wing more extensive; groumgrzimaili also has upperparts paler, more sandy-coloured, black on wings more extensive; kwenlunensis is smaller and more sandy-coloured.

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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.

Barren rocky ground with cliffs, also meadows above tree-line and up to snow-line, frequently near buildings where these present at high altitudes; 2000–5300 m.

Mainly resident; some descent to lower altitudes in winter, particularly in E of range, but many remain near snow-line above tree-level. Vagrants recorded on Heligoland (in the German Bight), and in Canary Is, Malta, Sicily, Egypt and Iraq.

In winter mainly seeds , including undigested seeds in droppings of horses, but also takes scraps at ski resorts; at other times of year insects, particularly grasshoppers (Orthoptera), flies (Diptera) and beetles (Coleoptera), and spiders (Araneae). Study in Switzerland in winter suggested that seeds of alpine plants are preferred over those of grasses (Gramineae). Nestlings fed  almost exclusively with animal food . Food items collected mostly on ground, but some insects caught in flight. Forages in pairs and small groups  ; in larger flocks outside breeding season.

Song, by male from high perch or in display-flight, a complex mix of varied buzzy chirps  , with much repetition of individual elements such as "sitticher sitticher". Flock in flight utters harsh, nasal "pschieu" or "pchie" together with "tsee" and softer "pruuk" or "kiek"; alarm call "pititit prrt".

Season May–Jul/Aug; two broods. Usually breeds in small loose colonies of 2–6 pairs, also solitarily; defends small territory. Pronounced circling display-flight with slowly fluttering wings. Bulky nest of dry grass and moss, lined with feathers and fine plant material, placed in crevice in rock face or hole in building  , occasionally in burrow of small rodent; sometimes in artificial structure, e.g. cable-car pylon (in French Pyrenees), or in nestbox . Clutch 4–5 eggs ; incubation by female, period 12–14 days; chicks fed by both parents, nestling period 18–22 days; fledglings fed by both sexes for c. 12–15 days after leaving nest  .

Not globally threatened. Common, but generally local. Has probably benefited from increased winter occupation of alpine resorts by humans. European population in 1980s was estimated at 15,000–23,000 birds. Breeding densities range from 20 birds/km² in Cantabrian Mts (Spain) and 9·4–11·7 pairs/km² in French Pyrenees to 4·5–11·5 birds/km² in the Alps.