General

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Medium-sized finch with brown body and pink on shoulders, flanks, and belly. Forehead is dark brown and bill is yellow with dark tip. Back of head and belly have gray patches. Female is duller. Coastal birds may have gray faces.

Range and Habitat

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Breeds from Alaska to California and descends to lower elevations near breeding areas in the winter. Prefers alpine tundra and high snowfields; winters in nearby lowlands.

Breeding and Nesting

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Four to five white eggs, sometimes with red brown spots, are laid in a bulky nest built in a rock cavity. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Eats seeds, vegetation, and insects; forages on the ground.

Readily Eats

Safflower, Apple Slices, Suet, Millet, Peanut Kernels, Fruit, Commercial Mixed Bird Seed

Vocalization

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Gives harsh "cheep, cheep" notes in flight.

Similar Species

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Black Rosy-Finch lacks brown back and breast. Brown-capped Rosy-Finch lacks gray on the head.