Fun Common Rosefinch Facts For Kids

The common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) is also known as the scarlet rosefinch. The old Latin name for this species was Erythrina erythrina and Loxia erythrina. It also belongs to the order Passeriformes, family Fringillidae, and subfamily Cardiurinae. This finch can be found all over the world and is the only rosefinch that travels long distances during the breeding season.

It is mentioned in the taxonomy of this species that in a molecular phylogenetic study, it was observed that the common rosefinch wasn't technically part of the Carpodacus genus and it was therefore suggested that it be moved to another genus. However, the International Ornithological Union decided to keep the bird in the same genus.

The finch family looks sparrow-sized and the female rosefinch is often difficult to identify and is often mistaken for sparrows. The common rosefinch habitat is spread over forest areas, wetlands, low-range hills, and shrub regions as a result of their migration habits.

The nests created by these female birds are pretty close to the ground and they are almost never seen in groups. Finches tend to stay alone or just in pairs.

Keep reading to learn about the common rosefinch life span, what they feed on, what their tail looks like, their habitat, and other exciting details! If you want to discover more birds like the common rosefinch, take a look at these blue jay facts and blue grouse facts.

Common Rosefinch Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a common rosefinch?

Common rosefinch birds belong to the Carpodacus genus and they are a bird species in the family of finches.

It is mentioned in the taxonomy of this species that in a molecular phylogenetic study, it was observed that the common rosefinch wasn't technically part of the Carpodacus genus and it was therefore suggested that it was moved to another genus.

However, the International Ornithological Union decided to keep the bird in the same genus.

What class of animal does a common rosefinch belong to?

This species belongs to the Aves class. It also belongs to the order Passeriformes, family Fringillidae, and subfamily Cardiurinae.

How many common rosefinches are there in the world?

The exact number of common rosefinches all over the world is currently unknown, but they can be found in abundance in both Asia and Europe.

Where does a common rosefinch live?

The common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) distribution range map covers westward areas of Europe, including Portugal. During the breeding season, these birds migrate all over the map to areas like England, the Danube Valley, Sweden, Siberia to the Bering Sea, Caucasus, northern Iran, Afghanistan, Tibet, China, the western Himalayas, and Japan.

In winter they can be located in areas of southern Iran and Southeast Asia, India, Burma, North America, and Sri Lanka. It can be found rarely in areas of Alaska as well.

What is a common rosefinch's habitat?

Common rosefinch birds depend on mostly plant-based foods and therefore can be found in areas near damp and sparse groves, forest areas, river valleys, thickets, dry oak, woodland, and wooded meadows. They can also be found in junipers and near clearing bushes.

Migration is a major part of their existence and therefore they keep on moving from place to place.

Who do common rosefinches live with?

Common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) birds tend to stay alone or in pairs during the breeding season. They can hardly ever be seen in groups.

How long does a common rosefinch live?

Common rosefinch birds tend to live for two to three years.

How do they reproduce?

During the breeding season, common rosefinch birds tend to lay three to six light blue-green eggs with brown spots at the larger end. The nest is made by the female finch which is built with grass and stem, and lined with rootlets and hair.

The nest is found about 3 ft (0.91 m) above the ground and is built on low bushes or trees.

The incubation period lasts for about 12-14 days and the egg is taken care of by female common rosefinch birds until it hatches. After the eggs hatch, adults take care of the hatchlings until they are able to fly.

What is their conservation status?

 According to the IUCN Red List, the common rosefinch is in the Least Concern category on their conservation status list. Even though their numbers are declining, this bird species isn't vulnerable as of yet.

Common Rosefinch Fun Facts

What do common rosefinches look like?

This rosefinch species has quite a resemblance to sparrows but the birds are mottled brown above with a streaked breast and a forked tail. The adult common rosefinch male looks quite different from female and younger male common rosefinch birds.

Males, after the first year, tend to have a crimson rosy head, breast, and rump. They also have a brown eye patch and a pale white belly. Their bill is dark gray and stout and their wings are dark brown.

Common rosefinch female birds and young males have uniform brown feathers all over the body and a dark grayish head, breast, and rump. Young males tend to have dull colored wings and a pale white belly.

These characteristics often make it difficult to identify them and can be easily mistaken for Eurasian tree sparrows. Their bill is dark gray and stout and their wings are dark brown. The amount of red in each male rosefinch varies according to its age and this mostly changes after the first year.

How cute are they?

The crimson red color of this bird species makes it quite eye-catching. Even though they are not as colorful as the golden pheasant, they are quite beautiful and mesmerizing.

How do they communicate?

This bird family tends to communicate through a flutelike piping sound known as the common rosefinch song. These song calls help them to locate other birds and migrate without getting lost.

How big is a common rosefinch?

This bird species is about 5.71- 5.91 in (14.5-15 cm) long and 8.66- 10.23 in (22-26 cm) tall. This makes the bower bird about twice the size as it is 10-12 in (26-30 cm) long and 8-16 in (22-40 cm) tall.

How fast can a common rosefinch fly?

There isn't an exact speed that has been calculated, but as migration is a big part of their existence, this species does fly fast enough to cross borders quickly.

How much does a common rosefinch weigh?

This bird species weighs about 0.0462- 0.0595 lb (21-27 g) and is very small when compared to most migrant birds.

What are their male and female names of the species?

There are no separate names for males and females of this species. Both male and female finches are known as common rosefinch or scarlet rosefinch birds.

What would you call a baby common rosefinch?

There isn't a special name for these newborn birds, and they are just called hatchlings. After the incubation period, the eggs hatch and these newborns are called hatchlings. As soon as they start to grow and move on their own, they are simply called common rosefinch birds.

What do they eat?

The average common rosefinch diet consists of mostly seeds, fruit and berries, buds, catkins, shoots, and nectar during summer. They are primarily herbivores, but during the winter season, they feed on insects, larvae, and other arthropods like monarch butterflies.

Newborns are mostly fed insects to help them grow better, which are mostly foraged by male rosefinch birds. They use their bill to grab worms. Newborns are not fed seeds until they are old enough to swallow these seeds on their own.

Are they dangerous?

Rosefinch birds are not harmful and don't attack. This bird family has a small stature that makes it impossible for them to be a threat.

Would they make a good pet?

This species is solitary until the mating season comes. Being migratory birds makes it difficult for them to be good pets as staying stuck inside behind the bars of a cage would be hard for them.

Did you know...

This species of bird is quite similar to Cassin's finch and the purple finch that are seen in North America. This rosefinch tends to migrate to different areas during the winter season especially.

Are common rosefinches endangered?

The bird species isn't specifically vulnerable yet when it comes to their conservation status, and they are stated as Least Concern. However, their distribution has been declining more and more as days go by. They are currently still widespread but a decline in their population distribution has been seen due to the degradation of their natural habitats.

When and how did the common rosefinch come from Asia to Hawaii?

Most of the birds in Hawaii are said to have come from the northern United States of America, but in the case of these birds, they are said to have come from Asia, blown by a storm into Hawaii.

Even though there is no concrete evidence or proof of this, this is the general consensus. These birds are not only found in the United States but are widespread on the world map.

During summer they can be located in westward areas of Europe, including Portugal.

During the breeding season, these birds migrate all over the map to areas like England, the Danube Valley, Sweden, Siberia to the Bering Sea, Caucasus, the north of Iran, Afghanistan, Tibet, China, the western Himalayas, and Japan. In winter their range map typically covers areas of southern Iran, Southeast Asia, India, Burma, North America, and Sri Lanka.

This bird can be found rarely in areas of Alaska as well.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from these common swift facts and red-backed shrike facts.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable pilot bird coloring pages.

Main image by Imran Shah.

Second image by Adam Kumiszcza.