Saffron Finch
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| 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, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil 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.
They nest in cavities and make use of sites such as abandoned Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus) nests and house roofs. They have a pleasant but repetitious song which, combined with their appearance, has led to them being kept as caged birds in many areas.
Listen to the song of the Sicalis flaveola (Saffron finch).
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Sicalis flaveola. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 10 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
[edit] External links
- Saffron Finch videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Stamps (for Argentina, Brazil, Suriname)
- Saffron Finch photo gallery VIREO
- Photo-High Res-(female); Article & synopsis, Photo-(male) arthurgrosset–"South American Birds"
- Photo-High Res; Article chandra.as.utexas.edu
- Photo-High Res-(Close-up); Article geometer–"Brazil Birds"
