Long-tailed Rosefinch

The red color of the male shines in the river bed

Scientific name	Uragus sibiricus
English name	Long-tailed Rosefinch
Japanese name	Benimashiko
Classification	Aves
Classification details	Passeriformes Fringillidae
Full length	15cm
Distribution	They come to Honshu and southwards as winter birds, and to Hokkaido as summer birds.

Characteristics

A wild bird of the family Cuckoo, which is characterized by the crimson color of males. Males are red all over, especially dark between the eyes and the beak. Males are more reddish in summer. Females are dull brown. Both males and females have black and white stripes on their wings. The short and powerful beak is pale skin color.

Calls

Benimashiko's squeals are "beep" and "fee-fee". The chirping is similar to bunting and sounds like "chorichori" and "chiri-chiri".

Origin of Benimashiko name

"Beni" in Benimashiko simply refers to the crimson one. "Mashiko" is written as "monkey" in kanji and refers to a monkey with a red face. The name emphasizes the red color that stands out among the bushes.

Ecology

They live in grasslands and riverbeds in areas south of Honshu, where they fly as winter birds. It flies around thickets and eats plant fruits such as knotweed with its proud beak.

In their breeding grounds, they live in places with thickets, such as grasslands, marshes, and coastal areas, where they prey on insects.

Habitat

Found in the riverbed of Asakawa, Hachioji City. When I was observing wild birds living in the grass, such as the Redstart and the Blue-faced Blue-eye, they suddenly appeared in pairs. The red color of the male was very beautiful on the reed-colored river bed.

The female has a subdued coloration, and unless you look carefully, you may not recognize it as a red finch.