African chaffinch

African chaffinch
Male, Morocco
Female, Tunisia
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Fringillidae
Subfamily:	Fringillinae
Genus:	Fringilla
Species:	F. spodiogenys
Binomial name
Fringilla spodiogenys Bonaparte, 1841
Synonyms
Fringilla coelebs subsp. spodiogenys

The African chaffinch (Fringilla spodiogenys), is a species of passerine bird in the genus Fringilla. This species can be found in southwestern Morocco through Tunisia and into western Libya along the Mediterranean Coast and also has an isolated population in northeastern Libya near the coast. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Common chaffinch, (Fringilla coelebs). Its habitat includes deciduous forests and lowlands, and during the nonbreeding season extends its habitat to open areas including weedy fields and olive groves. The African chaffinch is a medium to large finch with an average lifespan of 5.7 years.

The diet of an African chaffinch is similar to a Common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), mostly eating small invertebrates and their larvae, as well as flowers, seeds, and buds.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Napoleon Bonaparte’s Nephew, Charles Lucien Jules Laurent Bonaparte who was an ornithologist. It was first classified as a subspecies of Common chaffinch (Fringilla Coelebs), but work done between 1979 and 2021 found differences between the two species including genetics and vocal behavior that lead to the African chaffinch becoming its own species.

Distribution and habitat

The African chaffinch is found from southern Morocco to northwestern Libya, and also has an isolated population in northeastern Libya. This species is non-migratory and usually disperses only over short distances, it has also been found north of the Netherlands and in Pantelleria, Italy, 68 kilometers east of the Tunisian coast in the Strait of Sicily. The African chaffinch typically resides in deciduous forests and Lowlands comprising a mix of trees such as beech (Fagus), hornbeam (Carpinus), oak (Quercus), spruce (Picea), and pine (Pinus), alongside forest edges and clearings. In the Moroccan High Atlas it is found in Juniperus thurifera. During the non-breeding season, it extends its range to similar habitats and open agricultural areas, including weedy fields, stubble fields, olive groves, palm groves, and desert oases.

Field identification

The African chaffinch is a medium to large finch that is typically 13.8–18.5cm in length and weighs 21–24g. Males and females have different characteristics. The adult male's chest are chartreuse-green and blue-gray. Its wings are black with one or two bold white stripes and white edges, the tail is blue-gray and white. The Male's throat, breast, and belly are a bright peach that is white on the lower belly and undertail with a blue-gray head with black on its forehead. The legs vary from black to pink and the bill is silvery blue-gray with a black tip. Females and juveniles are a grayish brown and olive color. They have darker brown and white stripes on the wings and a lighter brown and white underbelly. Their heads are a dull grayish brown and it has brown legs.

Sound and vocal behavior

The song is similar to the common chaffinch, but faster and more rhythmic. Its call sounds like a soft hwit sound singularly or in series or a high pitched wee. Sometimes these two calls are given together in a series.

Breeding behavior

The African chaffinch breeds from mid-March to mid-July. Their nests are placed up to 35m above the ground on a trunk, branch, or in the fork of a bush or tree. Their nests are a deep cup made of moss, lichens, grass, plant fibers, animal hair and feathers, grass, fine roots, and bark strips. There are typically four to five eggs. The African chaffinch breeds primarily in lowland and woodlands, typically containing beech (Fagus sp.), oak (Quercus sp.) , hornbeam (Carpinus sp.) spruce (Picea sp.) and/or pine (Pinus sp.), though some also breed in gardens and parks.

Conservation status

Although this bird is generally uncommon, it is locally common, and not under immediate threat of extinction. One threat to this bird’s population is weather conditions, particularly in northern areas. Populations of this species may decline in cold conditions.