Afghan snowfinch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Afghan snowfinch |
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| Illustration of a male (left) and a female (right) | |
| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Pyrgilauda
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| Species: |
theresae
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| Synonyms | |
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The Afghan snowfinch (Pyrgilauda theresae) is a small bird that belongs to the sparrow family. It is also known by other names like the Afghan ground-sparrow or Theresa's snowfinch. This bird lives only in the northern parts of the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan.
Even though it lives in a small area, the Afghan snowfinch is not in danger of disappearing. Because of this, it is listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List. This bird mainly eats seeds, but it also enjoys some insects. It builds its nest in holes or tunnels made by small animals like rodents. The nest is often lined with soft materials like hair or feathers.
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Discovering the Afghan Snowfinch
This bird was first officially recorded by scientists in 1937. A researcher named Richard Meinertzhagen found it during an expedition with Salim Ali. Meinertzhagen later wrote about the bird and gave it the scientific name Montifringilla theresae.
He collected the first example of this bird near the Shibar Pass, which is between Bamyan and Kabul. He named the bird after his cousin and travel partner, Theresa Clay. She was an expert on bird lice. While Meinertzhagen named many species, some of his later records were found to be incorrect. However, the Afghan snowfinch is one of the few species he named that is definitely real.
How Scientists Classify Snowfinches
Meinertzhagen first placed this bird in the Montifringilla group, which includes several other 'snowfinches'. The Afghan snowfinch looks very similar to Blanford's snowfinch. They also build their nests in the same way.
However, some scientists now place the Afghan snowfinch and other snowfinches from southern and central Asia into a different group called Pyrgilauda. They do this because these birds have different body shapes, live in different places, and act differently from the northern 'snowfinches'. For example, the Handbook of the Birds of the World calls the birds in the Pyrgilauda group 'ground-sparrows'. This is because they live on the ground and behave differently from other snowfinches. There are no different types (subspecies) of the Afghan snowfinch.
What Does the Afghan Snowfinch Look Like?
The Afghan snowfinch is about 13.5 to 15 centimeters (5.3 to 5.9 inches) long. It weighs between 23 and 35 grams (0.8 to 1.2 ounces). Its wings can spread from 8.5 to 9.9 centimeters (3.3 to 3.9 inches). Females are usually a bit smaller than males.
Male and Female Differences
- Males are grey-brown. They have some white on their wings. They also have a black mask on their face and a black patch on their throat.
- Females are more buff-brown. Their face mask is lighter and greyer. They also have less white on their wings.
Both males and females have short dark streaks on their back. Their tail feathers (except the middle ones) have a white band near the end. They also have white on the top of their wings. Male birds have bright red eyes. Young birds probably look similar to the female.
How to Tell it Apart from Other Birds
Only two similar birds live in the same area as the Afghan snowfinch. These are the white-winged snowfinch and the desert finch.
- You can tell it apart from the white-winged snowfinch because it has smaller white patches on its wings. It also looks more brownish overall.
- Compared to the desert finch, the Afghan snowfinch has more streaks on its body. It also has stronger markings on its face and a smaller beak.
When the Afghan snowfinch flies, it has a strong, straight flight. Its alarm call sounds like a sharp tsi. When it flies, it makes soft quaak calls. It can also make a harsh zig-zig sound.
Where the Afghan Snowfinch Lives
The Afghan snowfinch is special because it is the only bird species that lives only in Afghanistan. You can find it in certain northern parts of the Hindu Kush mountains. It lives at high elevations, from about 2,575 to 3,000 meters (8,448 to 9,843 feet) above sea level.
Besides the Shibar Pass, it has been seen in places like Deh Sabz District and Unai Pass. In winter, especially when there is a lot of snow, these birds move to lower areas. They also move a bit north into Badghis Province. Sometimes, a few birds might even fly as far as southern Turkmenistan. Their favorite places to live are rocky mountain slopes, flat areas (plateaus), and open hillsides in mountain passes.
Even though it lives in a small area, scientists believe its population is stable. There are no major threats to this bird. This is why it is listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List. The Afghan snowfinch is also protected in Band-e Amir National Park. This is Afghanistan's first national park, and it covers a large part of the Hindu Kush mountains near Bamyan.
How the Afghan Snowfinch Behaves
In winter, Afghan snowfinches gather in large groups. These flocks can have dozens or even hundreds of birds. Sometimes, they mix with other types of snowfinches, rock sparrows, and different kinds of larks.
What They Eat
This bird mostly eats small seeds from plants. Some of these plants include Carex pachystylis, Convolvulus divaricatus, and Thuspeinantha persica. They also eat insects, like ants and weevils.
Nesting Habits
The Afghan snowfinch builds its nest in tunnels and holes made by rodents. These rodents can include ground squirrels and marmots. In one case, a nest was found in a burrow made by a Williams' jerboa. They are often found nesting near the homes of yellow ground squirrels. Several other snowfinch species in southern Asia also like to nest in similar places. The isabelline wheatear, which lives in the same area, also shares this nesting habit.
The birds use different materials to line their nests. These include hairs from squirrels, sheep, and camels. They also use feathers. The nests are built deep inside the burrows. This helps protect the young birds from animals that might try to eat them. When the young birds hatch, they are blind and helpless. They have pink skin and only a few light-colored fluffy feathers. The young birds make a soft call when their parents call to them from the entrance of the nest.
