African Crimson-winged Finch
Encyclopedia
The African Crimson-winged Finch (Rhodopechys sanguineus alienus), is a pale-colored thickset finch with a heavy, dull yellowish bill. It is found in the Atlas Mountains
of Morocco
. . It is considered a subspecies of the Crimson-winged Finch
, with some taxonomists considering it to be a separate species. It has an average length of 13 cm. and a wingspan of ca. 32 cm. It is light brown overall, with a whitish mid-belly, a black cap and a pinkish pattern on the wings and tail. The female is slightly duller than the male.
This species lives on rocky mountainsides, often at high elevation. It can be found in barren landscapes with little vegetation, and sometimes nests in rock crevices. It feeds on seeds, and during the winter descends in flocks to agricultural fields to find food. The female lays and incubates 4 or 5 blue, lightly speckled eggs.
Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains is a mountain range across a northern stretch of Africa extending about through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The highest peak is Toubkal, with an elevation of in southwestern Morocco. The Atlas ranges separate the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert...
of Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
. . It is considered a subspecies of the Crimson-winged Finch
Crimson-winged Finch
The Crimson-winged Finch , is a pale-colored thickset finch with a heavy, dull yellowish bill. The nominate subspecies is found from Turkey to NE Pakistan. Another subspecies, alienus, is found in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, and may represent a separate species. It has an average length of...
, with some taxonomists considering it to be a separate species. It has an average length of 13 cm. and a wingspan of ca. 32 cm. It is light brown overall, with a whitish mid-belly, a black cap and a pinkish pattern on the wings and tail. The female is slightly duller than the male.
This species lives on rocky mountainsides, often at high elevation. It can be found in barren landscapes with little vegetation, and sometimes nests in rock crevices. It feeds on seeds, and during the winter descends in flocks to agricultural fields to find food. The female lays and incubates 4 or 5 blue, lightly speckled eggs.