Rosefinch



The rosefinches are birds in the finch family Fringillidae. Most Carpodacus species are called "rosefinches", but the three North American species are simply called "finches". As the names imply, various shades of red are the characteristic plumage colours of this group. The Common Rosefinch is frequently called the "rosefinch".

Rosefinches are found throughout the northern hemisphere, but the greatest diversity is in Asia. Most species are traditionally placed in the large genus Carpodacus.

Systematics
Comparison of mtDNA cytochrome b sequences strongly indicates that the genus Carpodacus is in need of a thorough revision. For example, the Dark-breasted Rosefinch, a species with very distinctive appearance, is also very distinct genetically and definitely belongs in another genus, which may even be placed in the chaffinch-brambling subfamily Fringillinae; all other species belong to the cardueline finch subfamily (Carduelinae).

There have been a number of rosefinch radiations. First to split off were the ancestors of the North American species, the Common Rosefinch, and the Scarlet Finch, generally placed in its own genus. These groups, which may be related, diverged in the Middle Miocene (about 14–12 mya) from the proto-rosefinches. Each of these groups probably should constitute a distinct genus; in the case of the North American species, it would be Burrica. The types of the genera Erythrina Brehm 1829 and Carpodacus Kaup 1829 are frequently considered to be the Common Rosefinch, but both refer to Pallas's Rosefinch.

The Long-tailed Rosefinch, traditionally also placed in a monotypic genus, is closely allied to the Streaked Rosefinch and possibly other species; they diverged around 11–10 mya and either might be placed in Carpodacus or united in Uragus. If the latter is adopted, the bulk of the Asian species would be retained in Carpodacus or placed in the genus Rubicilla.

Przewalski's "Rosefinch" (Urocynchramus pylzowi) has been determined to be not a rosefinch, and indeed not a true finch at all, but to constitute a monotypic family Urocynchramidae.

A 2011 paper argues on the basis of DNA evidence that the Asian rosefinches are the closest relatives of the Hawaiian honeycreepers.

Species

 * Branch 1
 * Common Rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus
 * Scarlet Finch, Carpodacus sipahi (traditionally separated as Haematospiza)
 * Branch 2
 * Bonin Grosbeak, Carpodacus ferreorostris
 * Branch 3
 * Blyth's Rosefinch, Carpodacus grandis
 * Red-mantled Rosefinch, Carpodacus rhodochlamys
 * Pink-rumped Rosefinch, Carpodacus eos
 * Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch, Carpodacus thura
 * Chinese White-browed Rosefinch, Carpodacus dubius
 * Dark-rumped Rosefinch, Carpodacus edwardsii
 * Pink-browed Rosefinch, Carpodacus rhodochroa
 * Sharpe's Rosefinch, Carpodacus verreauxii
 * Spot-winged Rosefinch, Carpodacus rhodopeplus
 * Vinaceous Rosefinch, Carpodacus vinaceus
 * Taiwan Rosefinch, Carpodacus formosanus
 * Branch 4
 * Sinai Rosefinch, Carpodacus synoicus
 * Pale Rosefinch, Carpodacus stoliczkae
 * Sillem's Mountain-Finch, Carpodacus sillemi
 * Tibetan Rosefinch, Carpodacus roborowskii (formerly a distinct genus Kozlowia)
 * Streaked Rosefinch, Carpodacus rubicilloides (formerly in the genus Uragus and/or Rubicilla)
 * Great Rosefinch, Carpodacus rubicilla (formerly in the genus Uragus and/or Rubicilla)
 * Long-tailed Rosefinch, Carpodacus sibiricus (formerly in the genus Uragus and/or Rubicilla)
 * Red-fronted Rosefinch, Carpodacus puniceus (formerly a distinct genus Pyrrhospiza)
 * Crimson-browed Finch, Carpodacus subhimachalus (generally placed in Pinicola or in a monotypic genus, may belong in the rosefinch group. )
 * Pallas's Rosefinch, Carpodacus roseus
 * Three-banded Rosefinch, Carpodacus trifasciatus
 * Himalayan Beautiful-Rosefinch, Carpodacus pulcherrimus
 * Chinese Beautiful-Rosefinch, Carpodacus davidianus

Moved to other genera

 * American rosefinches (Haemorhous)
 * Cassin's Finch, Haemorhous cassinii
 * Purple Finch, Haemorhous purpureus
 * House Finch, Haemorhous mexicanus
 * Dark-breasted Rosefinch (a distinct genus Procarduelis, perhaps belonging in Fringillinae)
 * Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Procarduelis nipalensis
 * Agraphospiza
 * Blanford's Rosefinch, Agraphospiza rubescens – Perhaps related to Dark-breasted Rosefinch