Passeriformes / Fringillidae / Mycerobas
Collared Grosbeak
Mycerobas affinis · 黄颈拟蜡嘴雀
Introduction
A species of finch in the family Fringillidae. Its range encompasses the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, mainly the Himalayas, along with some adjoining regions. Natural habitat is mountainous deciduous or mixed forests.
Description
Length ranges from 22 to 24 cm (8.7 to 9.4 in). Body mass of two males was reportedly 69 and 72 g (2.4 and 2.5 oz), while a single female weighed 83 g (2.9 oz). Wing chord is 12.1 to 13.8 cm (4.8 to 5.4 in), tail is 8.7 to 9.7 cm (3.4 to 3.8 in), bill is 2.7 to 2.9 cm (1.1 to 1.1 in) and tarsus is 2.6 to 2.9 cm (1.0 to 1.1 in). Adult males are glossy black on the head, upper-wings and tail. Contrasting with the black head, the collar is an earthy brownish color. The rest of the male's plumage is a rich, deep yellow. The female is olive-green on back and yellowish below with no black about the face. Juvenile birds are fairly similar in appearance to the adult female.
Identification
Flight call is a mellow but rapid Pip-pip-pip-pip-uh. Also utters a sharp alarm call, kurr. Male's song is a clear, loud and rising whistle consisting of five to six notes. May utter a creaky groan in antagonistic interactions.
Distribution & Habitat
Found in Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand. Summers and breeds at an elevation of 2,700 to 4,200 m (8,900 to 13,800 ft). Engages in altitudinal movements, by winter traveling to as low as 1,800 m (5,900 ft) or even to 1,060 m (3,480 ft). Occurs in mixed and coniferous forests, commonly around stands of maple, oak or rhododendron. May occur during the summer in dwarf juniper above the tree line in the mountains.
Behavior & Ecology
Pairs or small parties usually perch near the tops of tall trees but forage often in lower vegetation or even on the ground. Flies in tight flocks in a fast, direct but sometimes undulating flying style. Feeds on a variety of seeds and pine cones as well as buds or shoots, nuts, fruits (including crab apples). A variety of this tough plant life is plucked with the strong bill. May also feed on insects, mainly caterpillars, as well as snails. Breeding behavior is unknown.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Mycerobas
Distribution
mountains of northern Pakistan to southeastern Tibet, northeastern Myanmar, and central China
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.
