Afghan Snowfinch

Pyrgilauda theresae (Meinertzhagen, R, 1937)

Afghan Snowfinch, Pyrgilauda theresae, is a passerine of the sparrow family found in montane Afghanistan, mainly in the northern Hindu Kush. It breeds in alpine steppe and on stony slopes, and has also been recorded in southern Turkmenistan, where it is rare. This bird is tied to high, open country and is known from a limited set of localities in the range. It is the only bird species endemic to Afghanistan. In winter it moves to lower ground and may appear in fields beyond its breeding area.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Passeridae — Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches

Breeding range

Palearctic: sc Palearctic in alpine steppe and stony slopes: montane c Afghanistan

Nonbreeding range

to fields; recorded se Turkmenistan (rare)