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Black Rosy Finch

Leucosticte atrata
Meet one of the least studied birds in all of North America! The Black Rosy Finch gets that designation because it lives in a pretty inaccessible habitat. These small birds can only be found living in the Rocky Mountains, high up above the treeline in alpine areas.

Black Rosy Finches have dark colored heads, backs, and wings, with pink undersides and feet. Juveniles are more grey in color. They roost communally, and feed off of seeds and insects.

For the most part, these birds are non migratory. However, when winter comes and snow starts to cover, they sometimes move to lower elevation areas. They build nests in cliffs and crevices, and the male is very interesting in that he defends and entire moving areas around his mate, and not just the static nest itself.

Black Rosy Finches have a large range, but their population may be declining. It is difficult to determine numbers based on their location and habitat.
IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : United States
Size : Wingspan 13in (33cm)
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Passeriformes
Family : Fringillidae -- Genus : Leucosticte -- Species : L. atrata
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