Gray-crowned Rosy Finches are medium-sized finches known for being the most widespread Rosy-Finch.
The adults have chocolate-colored bodies with pink highlights on their wings, tails, and bellies.
A number of these finches also have gray on the backs of their heads or an entirely gray cheek. The juvenile finches, however, are a much duller version of the adults.
These finches can most readily be spotted during the spring and summer months as they breed at very high elevations.
During winter, however, you will spot them at low elevations, even foraging on alpine snowfields. Overall, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches take habitat in a variety of areas such as high mountains, cliffs, ice fields, and meadows.
At times during the winter, they can be seen in Arizona’s suburban settings.
They have been seen traveling in mixed flocks of other finches during winter months. You can distinguish Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches by their sharp ‘chew’ call and their general chirping and squawking sounds