Passeriformes / Fringillidae / Carpodacus
Chinese White-browed Rosefinch
Carpodacus dubius · 白眉朱雀
Introduction
A true finch species (family Fringillidae) found in central China and eastern Tibet. It inhabits temperate forests and shrublands at high elevations. The species was up-ranked from subspecies status based on phylogenetic DNA analysis. Conservation status is Least Concern.
Description
Average length between 9 and 25 cm. The beak is short and conical. Males have a bright pink face and underside. Females are brown streaked all over with paler underparts.
Identification
Males are distinguished by bright pink face and underside, while females are brown streaked. Vocalizations include a rapid series of nasal bleats.
Distribution & Habitat
Found in central China and eastern Tibet, including northeastern Qinghai, south-eastern Qinghai to south-eastern Gansu, southern Ningxia, northern Sichuan, west Sichuan, north Yunnan, and south-east Tibet. Inhabits temperate forests, temperate shrublands, semi-open scrub, and forest edges at 3000–4800 meters. Three subspecies: C. d. deserticolor, C. d. dubius, and C. d. femininus.
Behavior & Ecology
Adapted to a granivorous diet, feeding on the ground in small groups. Usually hibernates in hilly, scrubby habitats, sometimes at lower elevations. Nests are situated in bushes, constructed as cups of twigs, grasses, mosses, and shreds of birch bark lined with fine grasses and hairs. Clutches generally contain between 4 and 6 eggs.
Conservation
Population is stable. Assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Carpodacus
Subspecies (3)
-
Carpodacus dubius deserticolor
western China (northeastern Qinghai)
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
