Common Rosefinch
Carpodacus erythrinus (Pallas, 1770)
SQ
SCARO
16790
Family: Passeriformes > Fringillidae
Most encounters with this rare visitor to Britain & Ireland will not meet the colourful expectations of the bird’s name, with scarce autumn migrants looking plain and brown.
Pinkish-red singing males have been found very occasionally in the UK, with the first recorded breeding in 1982 in the Highlands of Scotland. The species has bred irregularly since then with Bird Atlas 2007-11 recording possible breeding from around 25 locations, mainly in Scotland.
The Common Rosefinch is most regular as an autumn visitor in the Northern Isles, with birds regularly spending a few weeks in Shetland, and especially on Fair Isle. When studied in their first winter plumage, they are subtly streaked and have an attractive beady black eye.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Common Rosefinch
Identification
Common Rosefinch identification is sometimes difficult.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Common Rosefinch, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Song
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Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | Yes |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
WCA(I), Bern(III) |
POPULATION SIZE
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Fair Isle, 1906 |
DISTRIBUTION
Common Rosefinches are sporadic breeders, with the first breeding record being as recent as 1982
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in breeding season | 27 |
| % occupied in breeding season | 0.9 |
| No. occupied in winter | 8 |
| % occupied in winter | 0.3 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
SEASONALITY
Common Rosefinch is a rare passage migrant, with some birds holding territory in late spring, and passage of juveniles in September and October.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Common Rosefinch, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
1 |
|
Egg Size
|
20×14 mm Weight = 2.2 g (of which 5% is shell) |
BIOMETRICS
|
Wing Length
|
Adults | 83.2±2.7 | Range 79–88mm, N=37 |
| Juveniles | 81.8±2.1 | Range 79-86mm, N=90 |
|
Body Weight
|
Adults | 23.4±2.29 | Range 19.8–26.9g, N=37 |
| Juveniles | 23.1±2.8926 | Range 19.3–28.6g, N=85 |
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Ring size
|
A or B |
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: SQ | 5-letter code: SCARO | Euring: 16790 |
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Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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