Atlas of nesting birds in Bulgaria

Common Rosefinch

(Carpodacus erythrinus)

Category of conservation concern (IUCN, 2020) – Least Concern

Population size: 2020: 52- 112 pairs (2007: 10-50 pairs)

Distribution pattern

The permanent distribution of the species is still not stabilized. Occurs dispersed in separate mainly isolated localities in two regions of completely different nature – the Black Sea coast and the higher mountains and mountainous areas (Rila, Western Rhodopes, Pirin, Osogovo Mountains, Central Stara Planina, and Sredna Gora). In some of the cases, it is possible that they are wandering male specimens, showing territorial behaviour.

Population estimation for the period 2013 – 2020: During the period 2013-2020, the species was not found in 12 squares, where it was registered before 2013, but was established in 15 new squares. It is very likely that other unidentified breeding sites exist in the country.

Population size in Special Protection Areas of Natura 2000: 21- 52 pairs (44% of the population). The highest numbers have been registered in the Central Balkan SPA (17-29 pairs).

Big size map

Breeding distribution 2013 – 2020 – The distribution and the estimation of the population size of the species for the period 2013 – 2020 is presented –

Comparative distribution of the species compared to the first breeding birds atlas (Iankov, 2007): Breeding locality until 2007 | Breeding locality until 2007, confirmed after 2015 – | New breeding locality after 2015. – The breeding localities after 2015 are identified on a base of raw data from smartbirds.org.

Habitats

The species has been observed breeding in wet riverside and in roadside bushes (similar to strips of trees, shrubs, and patches of them, and in forests of Pinus mugo – a habitat with mixed characteristics of coniferous forests and shrubs in temperate climates). Favours the edges of the wet forests and especially copses of Salix sp., Alnus glutinosa and Populus sp. along the river valleys, but also gardens, wet meadows with bushes – always close to running water, showing a high degree of adaptability.

Trends in population changes for the period 2013-2020

Short-term trend of population size:

Increasing

Long-term trend of population size:

Increasing

Short-term trend of distribution:

Increasing

Long-term trend of distribution:

Increasing

Threats

Building hotels, golf courses and other sports’ facilities in the breeding habitats. Fires in the mountains.

Petar Shurulinkov, Irina Kostadinova