Alternative name: Henri's Snowfinch
- Montifringilla henrici
For the species Montifringilla adamsi for which the name Tibetian Snowfinch has been used as well see Black-winged Snowfinch.
Identification
17cm.
- Earth-brown head and neck
- Dark brown mantle, back and scapulars
- Large white patch on wings, well visible in flight
- Small black bib
- Grey underparts
- Washed rusty brown flanks
- Horn-coloured bill, black during breeding
- Black legs
Females are slightly smaller and duller than males. Juveniles are undescribed.
Similar species
Darker and browner body than White-winged Snowfinch and less white in wings. Black-winged Snowfinch has a grey head.
Distribution
Endemic to the eastern Tibetian plateau from Qinghai Hu south to Ku-la Shan.
Probably fairly common but only few data available.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species recently split from White-winged Snowfinch. Also sometimes considered conspecific with Black-winged Snowfinch. All three species form a superspecies.
Habitat
High-altitude steppe above the tree-line. Occurs at 2500 - 4500m.
Behaviour
Feeds on seeds and plant matter, nestlings are reared on insects. Usually encountered in small groups and larger flocks. Breeding season from June to August. No other information about breeding.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
- Thread discussing several aspects of Snowfinches, including the taxonomy of henrici
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Tibetan Snowfinch. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 21 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Tibetan_Snowfinch
