General

Black Rosy-Finch: Medium-sized finch with black-brown breast, and back, and gray headband. Belly, rump, and wing patches are pink mixed with brown. Female is similar but not as pink.

Range and Habitat

Black Rosy-Finch: Breeds in the Rocky Mountains of southwestern Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming to northern Nevada and Utah; spends winters south to northern Arizona and New Mexico. Preferred habitats include alpine tundra and meadows; during winter is found in nearby lowlands.

Breeding and Nesting

Black Rosy-Finch: Four to five white eggs are laid in a cup nest built in a hole in a vertical cliff. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Black Rosy-Finch: Feeds on insects and other invertebrates in spring and summer; in the fall and winter, seeds and other plant parts make up the diet.

Readily Eats

Peanuts, Suet, Millet, Fruit, Sunflower Seeds (hulled), Commercial Mixed Bird Seed

Vocalization

Black Rosy-Finch: Emits a variety of low "cheep" notes that are used for various situations such as a contact call in flight and in proclaiming an occupied nesting territory.

Similar Species

Black Rosy-Finch: Other rosy finches show brown in plumage.