Pine Grosbeak
The pine grosbeak (ginzan mashiko; Pinicola enucleator) is a rare finch that lives in this area and can be seen from this pass.
This bird is one of the largest in the finch family, with a total length up to 22 centimeters and a weight up to 80 grams. Adult male pine grosbeaks have distinctive red-colored heads, backs, and rumps, while adult females have yellow and olive-colored heads and gray tails.
The pine grosbeak lives in the coniferous forests of Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Hokkaido. Although the bird generally tends to live near its original breeding ground, it may go farther south during the winter when food is scarce. Its diet consists mainly of seeds, nuts, and insects.