Brown Bullfinch Pyrrhula nipalensis Scientific name definitions

A widespread and comparatively dull-colored member of its genus, the Brown Bullfinch is a generally common bird in montane forest and scrub habitats throughout the Himalayan region and southeast China, with geographically isolated populations in the Chin Hills of Myanmar, on Taiwan, and in Peninsular Malaysia. All five subspecies are characterized by their gray and brown plumage, bluish wings and tail, and a white wing panel. Most taxa also have a small white ‘teardrop’ below the eye and a scaled crown, however the population in Peninsular Malaysia (subspecies waterstradti) departs more radically from this, exhibiting a plain crown and a large white cheek patch—one recent checklist considered these differences, along with purported vocal divergence, to merit its separation as a range-restricted species apart from the nominate. Although chiefly resident, the Brown Bullfinch is an elevational migrant in at least parts of its range.