Wildlifeof China
Plain Mountain Finch
Finches, Sparrows & Buntings
Photo: (c) condorr, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Leucosticte nemoricola
Basic stats
Habitat
Temperate grassland, upland forest and rocky cliffs; high valleys and fields outside breeding
Range
Himalayas: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan
Clutch size
3–6 pure white or pinkish eggs
Size
14–15 cm; 18–25 g
The plain mountain finch is a resident breeder across the Himalayas, found in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. It is 14–15 cm long and 18–25 g, slender with long wings, a notched tail and a short pointed bill, and its colour and patterns resemble a house sparrow's. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Females usually build nests in rocky holes and crevices around 2 m above ground, occasionally in rodent burrows, and lay three to six pure white or pale pinkish eggs. In the non-breeding season it is found in high valleys, mountain forests, rocky cliffs, fields and towns. Songs include sharp twittering, 'trit-tit-tit-tit' and 'dui-dip-dip-dip'. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Plain Mountain Finch live in?
- Temperate grassland, upland forest and rocky cliffs; high valleys and fields outside breeding
- Where is the Plain Mountain Finch found?
- Himalayas: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan
- How many eggs does the Plain Mountain Finch lay?
- 3–6 pure white or pinkish eggs
- How big is the Plain Mountain Finch?
- 14–15 cm; 18–25 g