Common Rosefinch

The common, or scarlet, rosefinch is the most widespread and common rosefinch of Asia and Europe, 13–15 cm long, with a stout, conical bill. The mature male has a brilliant rosy-carmine head, breast and rump, dark brown wings with two indistinct bars and a white belly; females and young males are dull, yellowish-brown above, brighter on the rump and greyer on the head, and buff below. The male's colour depends on environmental factors, diet and the presence of parasites rather than genetics (Wikipedia, general species account).

It has spread westward through Europe in recent decades. The nest is placed low in a bush, and a typical clutch is five dark blue eggs with coarse dark brown spots (Wikipedia, general species account).