What is "snowfinch"

In Europe, "snowfinch" is often used for the white-winged snowfinch specifically. ''"Pyrgilauda" redirects here. In the late 20th century, this was occasionally believed to be a junior synonym of Eremopterix (see also below).''

The snowfinches make up the passerine bird genus Montifringilla. Despite their common name, they are Old World sparrows ( family Passeridae), not true finches (family Fringillidae). The genus is sometimes split into three.

As the English and scientific names suggest, these are high altitude species, found in the mountain ranges of southern Eurasia, from the Pyrenees east to the Himalayas, Tibet and western China.