Scarlet Finch: Dazzling Red Feathers

I do not remember my age when I first saw the picture of a northern cardinal in my classroom at St Mary’s School, Meerut. Astonished by its brilliant red hue, I could not fathom a bird could possess such vibrant colouration. Back then, and perhaps even now, English schools adorned classroom walls with pictures of diverse flora, fauna, important leaders, rivers, mountains, and countries, inspiring young minds. Little did I anticipate it would take another 35-40 years before I encountered a comparably resplendent avian species within India. My introduction to the scarlet finch unfolded with the illustrations of French artist Pierre-Joseph Barruel, in Salim Ali’s book Birds of the Eastern Himalayas. Herein lay the scarlet finch (Carpodacus sipahi), a diminutive creature measuring just 18 cm. The male, bedecked in striking red plumage with contrasting dark wings and tail, was captivating, while the female was adorned in subtler, scaly olive-grey attire accentuated by a yellow-orange rump. Notably, some females exhibit a faint red blush across their heads, wings, and rump. 

Edward Blyth, the English zoologist, introduced this species to the scientific community in 1844. His admiration for its colour was thus reflected in the generic and taxonomic names the bird was originally designated: Haematospiza sipahi. The former scientific nomenclature derived from its conspicuous crimson hues.“Haemato” came from the Greek word “haima” for blood, and “spiza” from a Greek term denoting a finch species, translating to “blood finch”.

Taxonomic revisions in 2012 reclassified the scarlet finch under the genus Carpodacus, aligning it with rosefinches, which are considered quintessential finches. Spanning a vast range from Uttarakhand to northeastern India and extending into Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand, this species frequents temperate forests between 2,000 and 4,500 m altitude. Despite its extensive distribution, localised habitat preferences constrain its occupancy. Come winter, it descends to lower oak forests or foothills but is still sparingly encountered due to its modest population density. Uncharacteristic of typical finches, the scarlet finch eschews large flock formations, seldom exceeding 25 individuals. Preferring arboreal habitats, it forages atop trees or mid-level vegetation, and on large bushes, relishing small berries, seeds, flowers, and insects. 

According to Peter Lobo, India’s foremost birder and expert on birds of the Northeast region, the best areas to see scarlet finches are Lama Camp, Sessni in Eaglenest WLS, Mayodia Pass, Mishmi Hills in Arunachal Pradesh, Ravangla in Sikkim, and Algarah and Lava Forest in West Bengal.

Besides its arresting plumage, its convivial and raucous gatherings serve as auditory beacons, attracting enthusiasts to its presence. It is on the bucket list of many birdwatchers. As it is a small bird, it would be on the menu of many predators, particularly raptors. However, the paradox of its conspicuous colouration amidst predation risks prompts inquiry into its evolutionary strategy. Many small birds, even if some have colourful hues, merge in their surroundings to avoid attracting the attention of predators, but why is the male scarlet finch so conspicuous? Within green foliage, the male stands out. Biologically, the phenomenon of aposematic behaviour offers a plausible explanation. Aposematism as a defence mechanism is observed across butterflies, frogs, and snakes, where distinct colours, patterns, or sounds signal to potential predators that it is toxic or undesirable. Is the scarlet finch signalling this to its predator? Salim Ali and Dillon Ripley’s observation in Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan hints at potential unpalatability. In the ‘Miscellaneous’ column at the end of the species description the Handbook (vol. 10, page 195), it is mentioned “Fat [or the flesh] of scarlet males to be of the same colour as feathers, only somewhat less brilliant.” Is this colour of the bird’s flesh, along with its feathers, a signal to predators, warning them that it is unpalatable? We do not know. This needs detailed enquiry.   

Furthermore, birds see things differently from human beings. The primary difference lies in the range of wavelengths each species can perceive. Most birds with tetrachromatic vision (which means they have four types of cones or colour receptors in their eyes) can also see into the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum. This gives them the ability to see colours that are invisible to humans. Humans have trichromatic vision, i.e., we have three types of cones in our eyes that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light: red, blue, and green. While humans perceive a wide range of colours across the visible spectrum, birds do not see the same colours in the same way. Therefore, most likely, a predator may not see the finch as we see it. We don’t know.

Nesting rituals of scarlet finches commence in March, with the construction of cup-shaped nests in forks of branches atop tall trees. Four eggs are laid, but their breeding behaviour and the extent of male involvement in incubation and the fledgling period remain unknown. Like in some other finches, chicks are fed insects and seeds.  

According to Dr Rajat Bhargava, a former aviculturist from Meerut, the scarlet finch was a highly prized bird when bird exports were allowed (before 1989-90). Annually, half a dozen birds were brought by trappers from Garhwal and Kumaon to Meerut. Most of the birds were exported to European importers as they were a coveted aviary addition to bird fanciers and breeders. A pair could fetch a price of up to Rs. 500 (a princely sum in the 1970s and 1980s). Traditional bird trappers took good care of scarlet finches, feeding them satoo (ground roasted gram flour), as every living individual was cash for them. However, stringent regulations now prohibit wild bird trade in India, safeguarding these species from exploitation.

Like most birds in India, there is hardly any research on the scarlet finch. We need to study its ecology, behaviour, breeding success, and habitat requirements and understand how it will be impacted by climate change.