Black Rosy-Finch

Black Rosy-Finch
The Black Rosy-Finch prefers barren, rocky or grassy areas with cliffs among glaciers above treeline. Winters in open areas at lower elevations, sometimes visiting backyard bird feeders. The Black Rosy-Finch breeds in rocky alpine habitats in central Idaho, southwestern Montana, the Tetons, and the Ruby mountains near Elko, Nevada.

Physical Description
The male is dark blackish-brown, with conspicuous gray cap, black forehead, and much pink on belly, rump, wings, and tail. The female is browner, showing some pink, and may not have gray cap. Bill yellowish in both sexes.

Diet
The Black Rosy-Finch feeds on insects and other invertebrates in the spirng and summer, seeds and other plant parts in the fall and winter. Known to feed on snowbanks at high elevations and glean insects that are too cold to move.

The Black Rosy-Finch is not truly territorial in that the male follows the female wherever she goes. In winter they flock, with Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches on exposed ridges and near bird feeders. At night they roost in caves, mine shafts, or in abandoned Cliff Swallow nests.

Attracting Finches