Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesGray-crowned Rosy-Finch
Adult (Hepburn's)
Medium-sized, chunky finch. The "Hepburn's" form breeds along the Pacific Northwest coast and has gray cheeks, a blackish throat, and a rich brown body with rosy highlights on the wings and belly.
© Russ Morgan / Macaulay LibraryOregon, February 05, 2018Adult (Gray-crowned)
A chunky brownish finch with pink highlights and a gray crown. The "Gray-crowned" form of interior North America has brown cheeks. The bill is yellow during the winter and black during the breeding season.
© Taylor Abbott / Macaulay LibraryUtah, December 22, 2019Adult (Gray-crowned)
Breeds in alpine environments near snowline. Nest is made of moss, lichen, plant fibers, and animal hair and hidden in a rocky crevice.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryMontana, July 01, 2001Not all videos have sound
Adult (Pribilof Is.)
Individuals on the Pribilof Islands are larger than other forms and they have a darker throat and chest.
© Marco Valentini / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 09, 2019Juvenile
Juveniles are brown overall, lacking the gray crown and pink highlights.
© Josh Adams / Macaulay LibraryWashington, July 15, 2019Adult (Gray-crowned)
Chunky brown finch with pink highlights on the wings and belly. Birds of interior North America have brown cheeks. The bill is yellow during the nonbreeding season and black during the breeding season.
© Taylor Abbott / Macaulay LibraryUtah, January 01, 2015Adult (Hepburn's)
Size and plumage varies regionally. Individuals breeding along the coasts of Alaska, Canada, and the Pacific Northwest have gray cheeks and a richer brown belly.
© Shawn Billerman / Macaulay LibraryWyoming, December 18, 2014Flock
Forms large nomadic flocks during the nonbreeding season in open areas, including mountain meadows, shrublands, roadsides, cultivated areas, and rocky hillsides.
© Timothy Spahr / Macaulay LibraryMontana, March 13, 2015Habitat
Breeds in alpine areas, usually near snowfields, glaciers, talus, rockpiles, and cliffs.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, May 16, 2011Similar SpeciesBrown-capped Rosy-Finch
Nonbreeding adult
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch is lighter brown and does not have the Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch's gray crown.
© Jacob Drucker / Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, December 20, 2016Similar SpeciesBlack Rosy-Finch
Nonbreeding adult
Black Rosy-Finches are darker (almost black) overall than Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches, which have a brown belly and back.
© Eric Hynes / Macaulay LibraryColorado, February 12, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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