A stunning ruby-red scarlet finch, renowned among bird enthusiasts for its vibrant plumage, has been spotted in the Gaoligong Mountains of southwestern Yunnan Province. This sighting highlights the region's exceptional biodiversity.
The Gaoligong Mountains, stretching over 600 kilometers from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau to the Indochina Peninsula, are celebrated as a \"world species gene pool\" due to their rich variety of flora and fauna.
Typically inhabiting higher elevations, the scarlet finch descends to lower grounds between November and March in search of better food sources and warmer climates. Unlike many migratory birds that travel horizontally between fixed breeding and wintering grounds, these finches engage in vertical migration, moving from altitudes above 3,000 meters to around 1,500 meters during winter and returning in spring to breed.
This unique migration behavior underscores the adaptability of the scarlet finch and the critical role of the Gaoligong Mountains in supporting diverse wildlife populations.
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Ruby-red scarlet finch spotted in SW China after move to lower grounds
cgtn.com
