Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola)

 

Synonyms: Fringilla flaveola

 

Sicalis flaveola is widely distributed in South America with three disjunct populations: in northern Colombia and Venezuela; coastal Ecuador and Peru; and throughout eastern and southern Brazil to central Argentina; also in Trinidad and Tobago. Escaped or released cage birds have established populations in the Greater Antilles, Chile, and Hawaii. This species occurs in a wide variety of semi-open habitats with scattered trees or shrubs, including savanna (cerrado), dry open woodlands (caatinga), forest edges, second growth, and pastures; readily enters parks, gardens and suburbs. More common in arid regions; avoids extensive forests, and likely benefited from deforestation. Mostly below 1,000 m, but up to 2,000 m in Bolivia. The male is a bright yellow with orange forehead, olive upperparts, blackish wings and tail, and dark pink legs; the female is duller, with prominent dark streaks in southern subspecies. Saffron Finch nests in tree and rock cavities, abandoned nests of Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus), wall crevices, and under house roofs. Males are apparently polygamous. This species is mostly granivorous, but also consumes small arthropods. Gregarious outside of nesting season. Some taxonomists place Saffron Finch in the Thraupidae (Tanagers).

 

		D37224 Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola), male Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
Unauthorized use of our images is NOT permitted.
Hotlinking or "pinning" of our images to websites is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Copyright © Michael Patrikeev - All Rights Reserved