Rosefinch
Encyclopedia
The rosefinches are bird
s in the finch
family Fringillidae. Most Carpodacus species
are called "rosefinches", but the three North America
n species are simply called "finches". As the names imply, various shades of red are the characteristic plumage
colours of this group. The Common Rosefinch
is frequently called the "rosefinch".
Rosefinches are found throughout the northern hemisphere
, but the greatest diversity is in Asia
. Most species are traditionally placed in the large genus
Carpodacus.
sequences
strongly indicates that the genus Carpodacus is in need of a thorough revision. For example, the Dark-breasted Rosefinch
, a species with very distinctive appearance, is also very distinct genetically and definitely belongs in another genus, which may even be placed in the chaffinch
-brambling
subfamily Fringillinae; all other species belong to the cardueline finch subfamily (Carduelinae).
There have been a number of rosefinch radiations. First to split off were the ancestors of the North American species, the Common Rosefinch, and the Scarlet Finch
, generally placed in its own genus. These groups, which may be related, diverged in the Middle Miocene
(about 14–12 mya) from the proto-rosefinches. Each of these groups probably should constitute a distinct genus; in the case of the North American species, it would be Burrica. The types of the genera Erythrina Brehm 1829 and Carpodacus Kaup 1829 are frequently considered to be the Common Rosefinch, but both refer to Pallas's Rosefinch
.
The Long-tailed Rosefinch
, traditionally also placed in a monotypic
genus, is closely allied to the Streaked Rosefinch
and possibly other species; they diverged around 11–10 mya and either might be placed in Carpodacus or united in Uragus. If the latter is adopted, the bulk of the Asian species would be retained in Carpodacus or placed in the genus Rubicilla.
Przewalski's "Rosefinch"
(Urocynchramus pylzowi) has been determined to be not a rosefinch, and indeed not a true finch at all, but to constitute a monotypic family
Urocynchramidae.
A 2011 paper argues on the basis of DNA evidence that the Asian rosefinches are the closest relatives of the Hawaiian honeycreeper
s.
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s in the finch
Finch
The true finches are passerine birds in the family Fringillidae. They are predominantly seed-eating songbirds. Most are native to the Northern Hemisphere, but one subfamily is endemic to the Neotropics, one to the Hawaiian Islands, and one subfamily – monotypic at genus level – is found...
family Fringillidae. Most Carpodacus species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
are called "rosefinches", but the three North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n species are simply called "finches". As the names imply, various shades of red are the characteristic plumage
Plumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
colours of this group. The Common Rosefinch
Common Rosefinch
The Common Rosefinch is the most widespread and common rosefinch of Europe, where it has spread westward from Asia in recent decades: it has even been recorded breeding in England once...
is frequently called the "rosefinch".
Rosefinches are found throughout the northern hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
, but the greatest diversity is in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. Most species are traditionally placed in the large genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Carpodacus.
Systematics
Comparison of mtDNA cytochrome bCytochrome b
Cytochrome b/b6 is the main subunit of transmembrane cytochrome bc1 and b6f complexes. In addition, it commonly refers to a region of mtDNA used for population genetics and phylogenetics.- Function :...
sequences
DNA sequence
The sequence or primary structure of a nucleic acid is the composition of atoms that make up the nucleic acid and the chemical bonds that bond those atoms. Because nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are unbranched polymers, this specification is equivalent to specifying the sequence of...
strongly indicates that the genus Carpodacus is in need of a thorough revision. For example, the Dark-breasted Rosefinch
Dark-breasted Rosefinch
The Dark-breasted Rosefinch is a true finch species . It is one the most peculiar "rosefinches" and might belong in a monotypic genus Procarduelis, closer to Fringilla than to the true rosefinches.It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam...
, a species with very distinctive appearance, is also very distinct genetically and definitely belongs in another genus, which may even be placed in the chaffinch
Chaffinch
The Chaffinch , also called by a wide variety of other names, is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.- Description :...
-brambling
Brambling
The Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla, is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.- Etymology :The common English name is probably derived from the German "brâma", meaning bramble or a thorny bush. It has also been called the Cock o' the North and the Mountain Finch.- Description...
subfamily Fringillinae; all other species belong to the cardueline finch subfamily (Carduelinae).
There have been a number of rosefinch radiations. First to split off were the ancestors of the North American species, the Common Rosefinch, and the Scarlet Finch
Scarlet Finch
The Scarlet Finch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in the Himalayas from central Nepal eastwards to Vietnam and is found spottily in the adjacent hills of Northeast India and Southeast Asia as far south as Thailand...
, generally placed in its own genus. These groups, which may be related, diverged in the Middle Miocene
Miocene
The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about . The Miocene was named by Sir Charles Lyell. Its name comes from the Greek words and and means "less recent" because it has 18% fewer modern sea invertebrates than the Pliocene. The Miocene follows the Oligocene...
(about 14–12 mya) from the proto-rosefinches. Each of these groups probably should constitute a distinct genus; in the case of the North American species, it would be Burrica. The types of the genera Erythrina Brehm 1829 and Carpodacus Kaup 1829 are frequently considered to be the Common Rosefinch, but both refer to Pallas's Rosefinch
Pallas's Rosefinch
The Pallas' Rosefinch is a species of bird in the finch family Fringillidae.It is found in China, Japan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia, and Russia...
.
The Long-tailed Rosefinch
Long-tailed Rosefinch
The Long-tailed Rosefinch is a species of finch of the Fringillidae family, in the presently monotypic genus Uragus. Some other rosefinches might eventually be moved there, however....
, traditionally also placed in a monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
genus, is closely allied to the Streaked Rosefinch
Streaked Rosefinch
The Streaked Rosefinch is a true finch species . It is one of the rosefinches that might belong in the genus Rubicilla or Uragus....
and possibly other species; they diverged around 11–10 mya and either might be placed in Carpodacus or united in Uragus. If the latter is adopted, the bulk of the Asian species would be retained in Carpodacus or placed in the genus Rubicilla.
Przewalski's "Rosefinch"
Przewalski's Finch
The Przevalski's Finch or Przewalski's Finch is an unusual passerine bird from the mountains of central-west China...
(Urocynchramus pylzowi) has been determined to be not a rosefinch, and indeed not a true finch at all, but to constitute a monotypic family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Urocynchramidae.
A 2011 paper argues on the basis of DNA evidence that the Asian rosefinches are the closest relatives of the Hawaiian honeycreeper
Hawaiian honeycreeper
Hawaiian honeycreepers are small, passerine birds endemic to Hawaii. Some authorities still categorize this group as a family Drepanididae, but in recent years, most authorities consider them a subfamily, Drepanidinae, of Fringillidae, the finch family...
s.
Species
- American rosefinches (probably a distinct genus Burrica)
- Cassin's FinchCassin's FinchCassin's Finch is a bird in the finch family Fringillidae. This species and the other "American rosefinches" are usually placed in the rosefinch genus Carpodacus, but they likely belong in a distinct genus Burrica....
, Carpodacus cassinii - Purple FinchPurple FinchThe Purple Finch, Carpodacus purpureus, is a bird in the finch family Fringillidae.-Taxonomy:The Purple Finch is one of 24 birds in the genus Carpodacus and is included in the finch...
, Carpodacus purpureus - House FinchHouse FinchThe House Finch is a bird in the finch family Fringillidae, which is found in North America. This species and the other "American rosefinches" are usually placed in the rosefinch genus Carpodacus...
, Carpodacus mexicanus
- Cassin's Finch
- Dark-breasted Rosefinch (probably a distinct genus Procarduelis, perhaps belonging in Fringillinae)
- Dark-breasted RosefinchDark-breasted RosefinchThe Dark-breasted Rosefinch is a true finch species . It is one the most peculiar "rosefinches" and might belong in a monotypic genus Procarduelis, closer to Fringilla than to the true rosefinches.It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam...
, Carpodacus nipalensis
- Dark-breasted Rosefinch
- Common Rosefinch (probably a distinct genus)
- Common RosefinchCommon RosefinchThe Common Rosefinch is the most widespread and common rosefinch of Europe, where it has spread westward from Asia in recent decades: it has even been recorded breeding in England once...
, Carpodacus erythrinus
- Common Rosefinch
- Scarlet Finch (traditionally separated as Haematospiza)
- Scarlet FinchScarlet FinchThe Scarlet Finch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in the Himalayas from central Nepal eastwards to Vietnam and is found spottily in the adjacent hills of Northeast India and Southeast Asia as far south as Thailand...
, Carpodacus sipahi
- Scarlet Finch
- Streaked rosefinches (possibly genus Uragus and/or Rubicilla)
- Caucasian Great Rosefinch, Carpodacus rubicilla
- Spotted Great RosefinchSpotted Great RosefinchThe Spotted Great Rosefinch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Kashmir, Nepal, Tibet, and southwestern China....
, Carpodacus severtzovi - Streaked RosefinchStreaked RosefinchThe Streaked Rosefinch is a true finch species . It is one of the rosefinches that might belong in the genus Rubicilla or Uragus....
, Carpodacus rubicilloides - Long-tailed RosefinchLong-tailed RosefinchThe Long-tailed Rosefinch is a species of finch of the Fringillidae family, in the presently monotypic genus Uragus. Some other rosefinches might eventually be moved there, however....
, Carpodacus sibiricus
- Tibetan Rosefinch (possibly a distnct genus Kozlowia)
- Tibetan RosefinchTibetan RosefinchThe Tibetan Rosefinch is a species of rosefinch in the finch family Fringillidae. It is sometimes placed in the monotypic genus Kozlowia.It is endemic to the Tibetan Plateau of China.Its natural habitat is montane tundra....
, Carpodacus roborowskii
- Tibetan Rosefinch
- Red-fronted Rosefinch (possibly a distinct genus Pyrrhospiza)
- Red-fronted RosefinchRed-fronted RosefinchThe Red-Fronted Rosefinch is a species of rosefinch in the finch family Fringillidae. It is sometimes placed in the monotypic genus Pyrrhospiza....
, Carpodacus puniceus
- Red-fronted Rosefinch
- Asian rosefinches, Carpodacus proper
- Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch, Carpodacus thura
- Chinese White-browed RosefinchChinese White-browed RosefinchThe Chinese White-browed Rosefinch is a true finch species . It is one of the rosefinches that might belong in the genus Propasser....
, Carpodacus dubius - Pallas' Rosefinch, Carpodacus roseus
- Three-banded RosefinchThree-banded RosefinchThe Three-banded Rosefinch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Bhutan, China, and India. Its natural habitat is temperate forests.-External links:*...
, Carpodacus trifasciatus
- Incertae sedisIncertae sedis, is a term used to define a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Uncertainty at specific taxonomic levels is attributed by , , and similar terms.-Examples:*The fossil plant Paradinandra suecica could not be assigned to any...
, placement uncertain (most probably belong to Asian group)- Blanford's Rosefinch, Carpodacus rubescens – Perhaps related to Dark-breasted Rosefinch
- Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch, Carpodacus pulcherrimus
- Chinese Beautiful RosefinchChinese Beautiful RosefinchThe Chinese Beautiful Rosefinch is a true finch species . It is one of the rosefinches that might belong in the genus Propasser. It is found in China. Its natural habitats are temperate shrubland and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland.-References:*Gill, F and D Donsker . 2011...
, Carpodacus davidianus - Pink-rumped RosefinchPink-rumped RosefinchThe Pink-rumped Rosefinch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in China and Thailand. Its natural habitat is temperate grassland.-References:...
, Carpodacus eos - Pink-browed RosefinchPink-browed RosefinchThe Pink-browed Rosefinch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Its natural habitats are boreal forests and subtropical or tropical dry forests.-References:...
, Carpodacus rhodochroa - Vinaceous RosefinchVinaceous RosefinchThe Vinaceous Rosefinch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Taiwan. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical or tropical dry forests....
, Carpodacus vinaceus- Taiwanese Rosefinch, Carpodacus (vinaceus) formosanus
- Dark-rumped RosefinchDark-rumped RosefinchThe Dark-rumped Rosefinch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal. Its natural habitats are boreal forests and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland....
, Carpodacus edwardsii - Pale RosefinchPale RosefinchThe Pale Rosefinch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Afghanistan, China, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.Its natural habitat is hot deserts.-References:...
, Carpodacus synoicus - Spot-winged RosefinchSpot-winged RosefinchThe Spot-winged Rosefinch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland.-References:...
, Carpodacus rhodopeplus - Red-mantled RosefinchRed-mantled RosefinchThe Red-Mantled Rosefinch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Afghanistan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, and Tajikistan....
, Carpodacus rhodochlamys
- Crimson-browed Finch, generally placed in PinicolaPinicolaPinicola is a possibly monotypic genus of "grosbeaks" of the true finch family, Fringillidae. It is closely related to the true bullfinches and the Holarctic mountain finches .This genus contains at most two species:...
or in a monotypic genus, may belong in the rosefinch group.- Crimson-browed FinchCrimson-browed FinchThe Crimson-browed Finch is a true finch species . It is sometimes placed in a monotypic genus Propyrrhula, and might be allied to the rosefinches ....
, Propyrrhula subhimachala
- Crimson-browed Finch
External links
- Rosefinche videos, photos and sounds on the Internet Bird Collection