Saffron Finch
| Saffron Finch | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Thraupidae |
| Genus: | Sicalis |
| Species: | S. flaveola |
| Binomial name | |
| Sicalis flaveola (Linnaeus, 1766) |
|
The Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola) is a tanager from South America and is common in both open and semi-open areas in lowlands outside the Amazon Basin. They have a wide distribution in Colombia, Venezuela (where it is called "canario de tejado" or "roof canary"), Ecuador, Peru, Brazil (where it is called "canário da terra" or "earth canary") and Argentina. Formerly, it was placed in the Emberizidae but it is close to the seedeaters.
The male is bright yellow with an orange crown which distinguishes it from other yellow finches in the continent. The females are more confusing as they can sometimes be just a duller version of the male but some sub-species such as, S. f. pelzelni, are olive-brown with heavy dark streaks.
Typically nesting in cavities, the Saffron Finch makes use of sites such as abandoned Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus) nests, bamboo branches and under house roofs - this species is tolerant of human proximity, appearing at suburban areas and frequenting bird tables. They have a pleasant but repetitious song which, combined with their appearance, has led to them being kept as caged birds in many areas. Males are polygamous, mating with two females during the nesting season, and territorial, which has led to the species being used for blood sporting with two males put in a cage in order to fight.[1]
 |
|
| Problems listening to this file? See media help. | |
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Sicalis flaveola. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 10 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- Betsy Trent Thomas, "Conoce nuestras aves", ISBN 980-257-032-X
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Cf. José Felipe Monteiro Pereira, Aves e Pássaros comuns do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Technical Books, 2008, ISBN 978-85-61368-00-5 , page 134
[edit] External links
- Saffron Finch videos, photos & sounds on the Internet Bird Collection
- Stamps (for Argentina, Brazil, Suriname)
- Saffron Finch photo gallery VIREO
- Photo-High Res; Article chandra.as.utexas.edu
- Photo-High Res-(Close-up); Article geometer–"Brazil Birds"
- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Sicalis
- Birds of Panama
- Birds of South America
- Birds of the Caatinga
- Birds of the Pantanal
- Birds of the Cerrado
- Birds of Aruba
- Birds of the Netherlands Antilles
- Birds of Trinidad and Tobago
- Birds of the Cayman Islands
- Birds of Lima
- Birds of Peru
- Birds of Puerto Rico
- Birds of Cuba
- Birds of Jamaica
