The Rosy-Finch Winter Project
Using Citizen Science to Protect the BCRF
Saving the Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (BCRF) is a grassroots citizen science initiative dedicated to understanding and protecting one of Colorado’s most unique and vulnerable bird species.
The Brown-capped Rosy-Finch is a stunning, high-altitude songbird found almost exclusively in Colorado. Sadly, this species is experiencing alarming population declines due to climate change, habitat loss, winter food shortages, and human land-use practices.
Our mission is simple but urgent:
Fill important data gaps regarding winter ecology of the Brown-capped Rosy-Finch by promoting eBird sightings.
About Our Project
Why it matters
BCRFs are difficult to track, especially in winter, mainly due to the harsh conditions they live in, as well as the incredibly high elevations (~9,000+ ft) they inhabit. Their populations depend heavily on reliable feeding grounds, which are threatened by:
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Drought and shifting snowpack
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Livestock grazing
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Land development and disturbances
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Insufficient public awareness
Understanding the winter ecology of Brown-capped Rosy-Finches is crucial to understanding threats to their population and how to combat these threats.
Who we are
Hi, I'm Grant! I'm a sixteen year-old passionate birder who started the Rosy-Finch Winter Project in 2024. I have been a young birder for roughly five years and I have loved every second of it. With this project, my goal is to identify what we can do to bring substantial impacts to the population of the BCRFs by 2028.
Together, we are building a network of volunteers, birders, and mountain community members to collect valuable field data and raise awareness of this incredible species.
What can you do?
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Go birding in Rosy-Finch habitat
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Take pictures, recordings, and videos of Rosy-Finches to be featured on our social media platforms
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Host feeders in high-elevation (roughly 9,000+ ft) areas in search of banded Rosy-Finches
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Report threats (like grazing, fencing, or hunting) near flocks
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Share the project via social media and word of mouth(and follow the project on all platforms)
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Join our events to learn more about the BCRFs