About Leucosticte arctoa (Pallas, 1811)
The Asian rosy finch (Leucosticte arctoa) is a stout, dark brown finch. Across most of the species' range, males have a distinctive appearance with black faces and throats, along with pinkish suffusion on their wings and flanks. The Yakutian subspecies differs from this common pattern, with deeper brown wings that show no pink at all. Females do not have pink coloration, and their face and throat are paler than those of males. In summer, the Asian rosy finch inhabits rocky tundra or mountainous areas located above the tree line. It feeds mainly on seeds, buds, and shoots, but also consumes invertebrates. Very little is known about the species' breeding biology, and only a small number of its nests have been found. Breeding occurs between June and August, and starts as late as July in the coldest parts of its range. It produces only one brood per breeding season, and breeds either singly or in loose colonies. Populations of this species can be fully migratory, partially migratory, or altitudinal migrants.
