Desert Finch Carduelis (prev. Rhodopechys) obsoleta

Desert Finch
Desert Finch male
Desert Finch female
The Desert Finch, also called the Black-billed or Lichtenstein's Finch, is native to southeast Turkey, the Middle East, Central Asia, northern Pakistan, China and Mongolia. Recent (2006) DNA research has determined that the Desert Finch is closely related to the common ancestor of the Greenfinch.
Desert Finch
Desert Finch male
Desert Finch male
A relative of the Linnet and Redpoll, the male (above, with the black bill) develops his pink plumage for display in the breeding season. Photos in the row above and all those below were taken by Alexandra Makhnina in Kazakhstan.
Desert Finch female
Desert Finch female
Desert Finch female
The female (above) has more muted colours, with a horn-coloured bill.
Desert Finches
Desert Finch
Desert Finch
It is a gregarious, flocking bird.
Desert Finches
Desert Finch singing lesson
Desert Finch
Larking about by the water.