Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range and the population size is extremely large, hence does not approach threatened thresholds for the range or population size criteria. The population trend is not known, but the population is not believed to be decreasing sufficiently rapidly to approach the thresholds under the population trend criterion. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
In Europe, the total population size is estimated at 255,000-1,120,000 mature individuals, with 127,000-560,000 breeding pairs (BirdLife International 2021), and comprises approximately 15% of the species' global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is between 1,700,000-7,470,000 mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is desirable. In Europe the trend for this species is not known (BirdLife International 2021). As no other data are available to derive trends, the global population trend for this species is unknown.
Trend justification
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Montifringilla nivalis has an extremely large range extending from southern Europe from northern Spain, Pyrenees, the Alps and Corsica east to Greece, southern and eastern Asia Minor, Caucasus, and Iran east to Afghanistan, Tien Shan (Kazakhstan) south to northern Pamirs (northern Tajikistan), eastern Tien Shan, northwestern China (northern Xinjiang) and Altai to central Mongolia, as well as the mountains of southern Xinjiang (Kunlun, Altun Shan and Nan Shan), in southwestern China.
The species inhabits barren rocky ground with cliffs, also meadows above tree line and up to snow-line, frequently near buildings where these present at high altitudes; 2000–5300 m. In winter it feeds on mainly seeds, including undigested seeds in droppings of horses, but also takes scraps at ski resorts; at other times of year insects, grasshoppers (Orthoptera), flies (Diptera) and beetles (Coleoptera), and spiders (Araneae). Study in Switzerland in winter suggested that seeds of alpine plants are preferred over those of grasses (Gramineae). Nestlings fed almost exclusively with animal food. Food items collected mostly on ground but some insects caught in flight. Forages in pairsand small groups; inlarger flocks outside breeding season. The breeding season is May–Jul/Aug; two broods. Usually breeds in small loose colonies of 2–6 pairs, also solitarily; defends small territory. Pronounced circling display-flight with slowly fluttering wings. Bulky nest of dry grass and moss, lined with feathers and fine plant material, placed in crevice in rock face or hole in building, occassionally in burrow of small rodent; sometimes in artificial structure, e.g. cable-car pylon (in French Pyrenees), or in nestbox; clutch 4-5 eggs. Incubation by female, period 12–14 days; chicks fed by both parents, nestling period 18–22 days; fledglings fed by both sexes for c. 12–15 days after leaving nest.
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A., Martin, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-winged Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-winged-snowfinch-montifringilla-nivalis on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.