Colorado alpine research · community science
The Rosy-Finch Winter Project
Understanding where and when Brown-capped Rosy-Finches spend the winter and what we can do to help preserve them
Brown-capped Rosy-Finches are an endangered alpine finch nearly-endemic to Colorado, yet their winter ecology remains poorly understood. This project brings community science and ecological data together to investigate winter habitat, movements, and environmental relationships.
The winter study
Three questions guide the work.
WHERE?
Habitat Use
Where are Brown-capped Rosy-Finches spending the winter, and which habitats may be under-sampled?
WHEN?
Altitudinal Migration
Contrary to most migratory bird species, the Brown-capped Rosy-Finch migrates altitudinally. The timing and magnitude: relatively unkown.
WHY?
Snow & Environment
Brown-capped Rosy-Finches have been observed anectdotally to descend in elevation. How responsive are they to snow conditions?
Help us understand the winter lives of Brown-capped Rosy-Finches.
Whether you’re a lifelong birder or have just discovered rosy-finches, your observations and ideas can help fill important gaps in what we know.