Three-banded Rosefinch Carpodacus trifasciatus is uncommon in mountains of south-central China (Qin Mountains) and on Tibetan Plateau in southern Gansu, eastern Qinghai, eastern Tibet, western Sichuan, and northwest Yunnan. Winters in breeding range and southeast Tibet. HABITAT & BEHAVIOR Breeds in conifer forests, between 2100–3050 m (6,890–10,010 ft.); winters to 1800 m (5,910 ft.). Sometimes perches or sings from atop conifer, but generally keeps to undergrowth. ID Male has diagnostic combination of three bands: two pinkish-white wingbars on the median and greater coverts and a long white streak on the scapulars; also white edging to tertials. Female also has this combination, but with whitish or yellowish wingbars. Rest of wings and tail black. Male has crown, nape, and rump crimson, forehead spotted white; mantle red with black mottling. Face and throat black with extensive white frosting. Breast and sides of belly crimson; flanks grey, belly whitish. Female has grey-brown head and upperparts streaked black; brownish-black wings; rump brownish-yellow; face to underparts buffish-grey with yellow tinge to breast and light streaking; dark ear patch rounded behind by pale nape sides. BARE PARTS Bill yellowish-horn, darker above and on tip; feet reddish-brown. VOICE Little known. — Craig Brelsford
THE ROSEFINCHES OF CHINA
shanghaibirding.com covers all species in the genus Carpodacus in China. Click any link:
Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus
Scarlet Finch C. sipahi
Streaked Rosefinch C. rubicilloides
Great Rosefinch C. rubicilla
Red-mantled Rosefinch C. rhodochlamys
Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch C. pulcherrimus
Chinese Beautiful Rosefinch C. davidianus
Pink-rumped Rosefinch C. waltoni
Pink-browed Rosefinch C. rodochroa
Dark-rumped Rosefinch C. edwardsii
Spot-winged Rosefinch C. rodopeplus
Sharpe’s Rosefinch C. verreauxii
Vinaceous Rosefinch C. vinaceus
Pale Rosefinch C. synoicus
Tibetan Rosefinch C. roborowskii
Sillem’s Rosefinch C. sillemi
Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinch C. sibiricus
Chinese Long-tailed Rosefinch C. lepidus
Pallas’s Rosefinch C. roseus
Three-banded Rosefinch C. trifasciatus
Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch C. thura
Chinese White-browed Rosefinch C. dubius
Red-fronted Rosefinch C. puniceus
Crimson-browed Finch C. subhimachalus
See also:
Taiwan Rosefinch Carpodacus formosanus
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Daniel Bengtsson served as chief ornithological consultant for Craig Brelsford’s Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, from which this species description is drawn.
