This small finch breeds at high northern latitudes. In winter records from British Columbia, adult males appear especially pale.
In British Columbia in winter, adult males look whitish overall. Adult females have more brown streaking on the back and flanks, and young birds show more buff on the head and back.
In winter in British Columbia, it eats small seeds and may feed on birch or alder catkins.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.