About Pyrgilauda ruficollis (Blanford, 1871)
Identification: These birds measure approximately 15cm in length and are very distinctive within their range. Compared to other snowfinches, they are quite brightly colored. Adults and juveniles can be distinguished by their appearance. Adults have black lores and whitish faces, with the exception of chestnut or reddish-brown rear ear-coverts and sides of the neck. The rest of their plumage is light brown, with darker streaking on the mantle and scapulars. Their wings have two white wingbars formed by the tips of the coverts. Juveniles are paler than adults and lack a well-defined face pattern. This species can be confused with Blanford's snowfinch, but Pyrgilauda ruficollis has two black stripes on its face. This species has evolved a higher metabolic rate than most other birds, along with better low-temperature tolerance and greater movement capacity.
Distribution and habitat: This species naturally occurs in Tibet and adjacent areas of central and western China, where it inhabits alpine temperate grassland, barren stony steppes, and plateaus. During winter, it migrates south to Uttarakhand, Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan, sometimes moving to lower altitudes. As a result, it can be found on wide open steppe meadows, pastures, and near human settlements. It is mainly sedentary, only making irregular altitudinal movements in response to particularly severe weather, and never undertakes long-distance movements.
