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The desert finch, sometimes called Lichtenstein's desert finch, is a large brown true finch found in southern Eurasia. Its taxonomy is confused, and it has formerly been placed in Fringilla, Bucanetes, Carduelis and Rhodopechys.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
It has an average wingspan of 26 centimetres (10 in). It has a stout black bill, black and white remiges and rectrices, and a slash of rosy-pink on each wing. The female is more dull in color than the male, but other than that the adult sexes are similar in color pattern.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in India, Pakistan, United Kingdom, Cyprus.
When to see it
Peak activity in April · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Blue-crowned ChlorophoniaChlorophonia occipitalisThe blue-crowned chlorophonia is a chunky, short-tailed, stubby-billed bird.
Plain Mountain FinchLeucosticte nemoricolaThe Plain Mountain Finch is 14–15 centimetres (5.5–5.9 in) long, weighs 18–25 grams (0.63–0.88 oz), and has a slender build with long wings, a notched tail, and a short pointed bill.
Learn the Desert Finch for real
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