Rhodospiza obsoleta
The Desert Finch is a small, sturdy bird with distinctive pink-tinged plumage in males. Its body is primarily light sandy brown, with darker streaks on the back and pink-edged wings. The rump may show a rosy pink wash, particularly vibrant during the breeding season.
Females lack the pink tinge and are duller overall and more uniformly brown. Both sexes have a thick, dark bill and a noticeable white wing bar, especially prominent in flight. The tail is also black.
Juveniles are similar to females, with duller brown wings and straw-yellow bills with dusky tips.
Length
13cm to 14cm
Wingspan
24cm to 26cm
Weight
18g to 22g
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Desert Finches inhabit arid and semi-arid regions across Central Asia, the Middle East, and parts of North Africa. They prefer open, dry habitats with sparse vegetation, including desert edges, steppes, and rocky hillsides.
During winter, some populations move to lower elevations or more southerly areas in search of food. They occasionally appear as rare vagrants in parts of Europe.
Up to 2,000 meters
Arid, Semi-arid
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Desert Finch. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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