Scientific name:
Montifringilla nivalis

Natural spread:
Europe, Asia

the name "Snow-finch" should be replaced better through "snow-sparrow", because with finches, this type admittedly has the outer shape in common, deviates in essential characteristics of these, however. One can assume that the sparrows knocked in an independent development trend already very early. they advanced also in the restrained northern zones of the old world as single subfamily of the weaver-birds.

Way of life The snow-finch lives in rocky hillsides and canyons in the high mountain region above the timberline and only comes down into the valleys also in the winter as an exception. The spread-area stretches as far as to the Mongolia from the Pyrenees. At the ground of the desolate gravel-hillsides, it collects many insects and spiders in the summer, but also vegetable seeds; in the winter, it avoids on seeds, that fall from the taps of the conifers. As an exception snow-finches are to be found also near very highly situated buildings where garbages of the human being widen the food-offer.

Dependent on the altitude and the beginning of the melt of the snow, the snow-finch broods from end April in a crevice, a burrow or rarely at buildings. After the pair-formation, that simple Balzhandlungen go ahead, both partners from grass, moss and leaves build the bowl-shaped nest and pad it with feathers and hair. The snow-finches come up with a brood 5-6 kids, however another sometimes joins itself second yearly-brood.

Shape Sifter wider, very analogical manner of this type is widespread in the comparable habitat in Asia. The birds are long until 18 cm, oberseits dark brown as well as unterseits and colored white at the wings. In the winter-dress, the white-share increases. it distinguishes a Kehlfleck. from the snow-bunting