Birds of a feather flock to mountain peaks and survive snowstorms together? That’s how the saying goes, right? Well, kinda. However, for a Colorado native finch, it does ring true.
Surviving in the harshest elevations of Colorado, the brown-capped rosy-finch, a small yet courageous songbird, is a year-round resident of the state’s high country. This unique species, considered a Species of Greatest Conservation Need by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), typically nests near steep cliff faces or rocky slopes, away from excessive human disturbance.
While other birds migrate in and out of Colorado seeking warmer temperatures, not these tough little birds; they are permanent residents of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and only venture to lower elevations when meals become scarce due to snow and ice at higher elevations.
Downslope, they flock together to find and fill up on seeds and nuts, then, back up the mountain they flock — plump, warm and ready to endure their alpine habitat, regardless of avalanche conditions, in peace.
So, how did this species of magnificent mountain bird end up on the Species of Greatest Conservation Need list, and is their harsh habitat leading them down a dangerous path of becoming an endangered species?
I had the pleasure of interviewing CPW Species Conservation Program Manager Amy Seglund to learn more about her research on brown-capped rosy-finches and the studies conducted to evaluate their population status and breeding ecology.
Amy Seglund is a seasoned wildlife biologist with experience in a variety of ecosystems. Since 2011, she has studied alpine species, including the white-tailed ptarmigan, American pika and most recently the brown-capped rosy-finch, and manages conservation biology projects at CPW.
“We are so fortunate to live in a state that is home to such unique wildlife, and we never want to take them for granted. It’s our human responsibility to coexist with the wildlife that lives in our state and monitor their health in case we need to intervene with conservation efforts,” said Amy.
In the 2015 State Wildlife Action Plan, CPW identified the brown-capped rosy-finch as a Tier 1 species of greatest conservation need in Colorado. This crucial designation was primarily due to a lack of information concerning its population status and resource needs, highlighting the importance of ongoing research and conservation efforts.
State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAP) are designed to provide a roadmap for reducing threats, enhancing habitat and increasing understanding to benefit species in need of conservation. SWAP revisions are required every 10 years to maintain eligibility for federal State and Tribal Wildlife Grants. CPW is fortunate to also receive funding from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), the Species Conservation Trust Fund and other sources that support SWAP implementation.
“The brown-capped rosy-finch is an alpine specialist with a range that is almost entirely restricted to Colorado, making it a focal species for CPW to manage and conserve,” said Amy. “As a wildlife biologist, you never want a species population to decline on your watch.”
In 2018, CPW funded a three-year research project and hired a graduate student (Kathryn Bernier) to fill in data gaps. The objectives of the project were to 1) develop a statewide population estimate for brown-capped rosy-finches using distance sampling along line transects (paths through a habitat from which surveyors collect data) during the breeding season, when populations are typically static, and 2) to gain a better understanding of resource use by breeding birds.
“During our research, we were able to monitor brown-capped rosy-finches for three years from 2018-2020 and, with Kat’s excellent analysis, estimated a population of 116,421 – 148,546 individuals. We found that we could adequately assess population status with the developed techniques and hope to use them as part of a long-term monitoring program to evaluate trends,” said Amy.
Through this successful wildlife conservation project, CPW wildlife biologists were able to conclude the following about brown-capped rosy-finches:
- Populations appear to be healthy in Colorado, and birds are distributed in all mountain ranges across the state.
- The line transect method developed for these surveys has adequate precision to estimate population trends over time.
- Habitat characteristics that appear to be important within the breeding range include cliffs, snow patches, and nesting and foraging areas, which range in elevation from 3,543 to 4,046 meters.
- They use rocky areas with sparse vegetation for foraging and avoid lower elevation, thickly vegetated areas.
- Climate change could affect breeding by reducing the availability of snow patches.
- CPW must continue to monitor this species as the climate warms in the alpine and precipitation patterns change.
CPW is committed to the ongoing monitoring of the brown-capped rosy-finch to ensure that populations do not decline in the face of climate change or other emerging threats. The survey techniques developed for this project are suitable for assessing future population trends, providing reassurance about the species’ future.
“Every species matters in our ecosystem. It doesn’t matter how big or small. We have a responsibility to protect our diverse landscape of wildlife in our state, and do what we can to act as stewards for the animals that add beauty and character to our landscapes,” said Amy.
In October 2025, CPW submitted a newly revised 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to support Colorado’s biodiversity and guide the conservation of the state’s most vulnerable species and habitats.
Each revision of the SWAP aims to build upon the previous one, incorporating new knowledge and strategies to make it more applicable and impactful. The 2025 SWAP now represents the latest and most comprehensive effort to guide wildlife conservation efforts in Colorado, building on the successes and lessons learned from previous plans.
The brown-capped rosy-finch may live in one of the most remote corners of the Rockies, but protecting them takes a community effort. Together, CPW researchers, citizens and conservationists alike can help ensure that these mountain marvels continue to grace our mountain skies.
To learn more about wildlife conservation in Colorado, visit cpw.state.co.us. Read about CPW conservation success stories on Colorado Outdoors and subscribe to CPW’s Conservation eNews to get monthly updates about ongoing conservation efforts around the state.
Written by Bridget O’Rourke, CPW Statewide Public Information Officer.