Hello, everyone! Today in ‘Torimame,’ let’s talk about the beautiful bird that colors Japan’s winter – the Long-tailed Rosefinch.
The Long-tailed Rosefinch, true to its name, is a bird with a strikingly bright red body, measuring about 15 cm in length. The male’s winter plumage features a light red head, back, and chest, with the crown and cheeks being a soft pink. It has black vertical stripes on its back, and the outer parts of its long black tail are white. This beautiful coloration is specific to the male; the female is more modestly colored in brown. In Japan, the Long-tailed Rosefinch breeds in Hokkaido and the Shimokita Peninsula as a summer bird and overwinters in Honshu and further south.
You can see these birds in various environments, including plains, low mountain forests, grasslands, reed beds, farmlands, and wetlands. Especially during migration, they can even be spotted in urban parks.
The small bird’s call is distinctive, making sounds like “Pippo, Pipopopo” and singing clearly during the breeding season with “Chururichī, Churuchuri, Fiffi.” Its diet is omnivorous, feeding on insects and grass seeds.
The beauty of the Long-tailed Rosefinch lies in its crimson feathers, which are mainly seen in males. While females are more subdued, they possess their own unique charm. If you happen to see a small red bird in parks or forests during winter, it’s likely a Long-tailed Rosefinch. Pay attention to their beautiful appearance and listen to their song. They are sure to bring you a sense of wonder that makes you forget the cold of winter.
