Family: Fringillidae, Finches view all from this family

Description ADULT MALE Has warm brown plumage overall with dark crown and rosy pink wing coverts, rump, and belly; flight feathers are edged pale pink. ADULT FEMALE Recalls adult male, but plumage is more uniform brown overall, with very little pink. JUVENILE Recalls adult female, but plumage is grayer overall.

Dimensions Length: 5 3/4-6 1/2" (15-17 cm)

Habitat Specialty of eastern Rockies, found mostly in Colorado, but also in southern Wyoming. Breeds in tundralike habitat above treeline and descends to lower elevations in winter; precise winter distribution is influenced by snow depth.

Observation Tips Mt. Evans Scenic Byway in the Rockies is a likely spot in summer.

Range Southwest, Rocky Mountains

Voice Song comprises a series of harsh chew call notes.

Discussion High-altitude finch. Forms flocks outside breeding season and often feeds at edge of melting snow. All birds have black bill in summer, yellow in winter. Sexes are dissimilar in plumage terms.