Rosy-finches are the highest-altitude breeding birds throughout most of their range. They are long-winged and generally dull-looking unless seen at close range, when the pinkish hues and combinations of brown, gray, and black can be seen. Their conical bill is usually dark, during spring and early summer and yellowish especially in fall and winter.

These birds usually perch on the ground, but occasionally alight on buildings, trees, bushes, phone, and fence wires. They typically walk rather than hop, but do the latter occasionally. They also swipe with their bill rather than digging with feet as some sparrows and finches do.

The Gray-crowned rosy-finch is a common summer resident at Crater Lake near snow fields in high open areas. Recent breeding has been confirmed at Mt. Hood, Crater Lake, and Three Fingered Jack, with additional summer sightings from Three Sisters, Mt Thielsen, Wallowa Mountains, and Steens Mountain. In fall and winder, they have been found almost annually in the Coast Range on top of Mary's Peak in Benton County.

Hear the song of the Gray-crowned rosy-finch

Photo by John Breitsh, Flickr