Chinese grosbeak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chinese grosbeak |
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The Chinese grosbeak is a cool bird also known as the yellow-billed grosbeak or black-tailed hawfinch. Its scientific name is Eophona migratoria. It belongs to the finch family, which is called Fringillidae.
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What are Subspecies?
Just like some dog breeds are types of dogs, some animals have different groups within their species called subspecies. These groups are slightly different but still the same species. For the Chinese grosbeak, there are two main types:
- Eophona migratoria migratoria: This group lives in places like eastern Siberia, Manchuria, and Korea.
- Eophona migratoria sowerbyi: You can find this group in east-central China.
Where Does the Chinese Grosbeak Live?
This bird lives in many parts of Asia. You can find it in the Russian Far East, China, Manchuria, and Korea.
What Kind of Places Do They Like?
Chinese grosbeaks love forests. They live in mixed woods and bamboo forests, especially in hilly and mountainous areas. These birds are not shy around people. You might even spot them in gardens and orchards!
What Does the Chinese Grosbeak Look Like?
The Chinese grosbeak is a medium-sized bird. It is about 18 to 20 centimeters (7 to 8 inches) long. Its wings can spread out to 23–24 cm (9–9.5 inches). It weighs about 55 to 60 grams (2 ounces).
Body Shape and Beak
This bird has a strong, solid body, which is common for finches. It has a large head and a very strong, cone-shaped beak. The beak is bright yellow, which is why it's also called the "yellow-billed grosbeak." The tip of its beak is black.
Feather Colors
The body of the Chinese grosbeak is mostly gray. It's darker on its back and wings. The belly is lighter, almost silvery. Its sides have brownish shades. The wings are black with a round white spot near the tip. Its tail is also black.
Legs and Eyes
The legs of this bird are a pale flesh color. Its eyes are brown.
Males vs. Females
Male and female Chinese grosbeaks look a bit different. This is called "sexual dimorphism." The male has a black mask on its head. The female's head mask is gray, not black.
How Does the Chinese Grosbeak Live?
Chinese grosbeaks spend their summers in temperate forests, where they raise their young. When winter comes, they fly south. They spend the colder months in southern China, Japan, Taiwan, and northern Southeast Asia.
Building a Nest and Raising Chicks
The female bird builds a cup-shaped nest. She usually places it high up in trees, hidden in thick leaves. She lays about four bluish eggs with brown spots. The female sits on the eggs to keep them warm. This takes about 12 to 13 days. The male helps by bringing her food.
Once the chicks hatch, both parents feed them. The young birds can fly when they are about 12 to 14 days old. Even after they can fly, they often stay with their parents for another two or three weeks.
Life in Groups
When it's not breeding season, these birds like to live in small groups. These groups usually have about ten birds. They move through the trees looking for food. They don't often go down to the ground.
What Do They Eat?
Chinese grosbeaks are mainly "granivorous," which means they eat seeds. Their strong, tough beak helps them break open seeds easily. They also eat other plant parts like sprouts, berries, and fruit. It's rare to see them eating insects or other animal-based food.
Gallery
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Eophona migratoria. Male
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Illustration of Gould, John, 1804-1881 in Birds of Asia
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Eggs of Eophona migratoria
