Siskin

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Siskin
Systematics
Subordination : Songbirds (passeri)
Family : Finches (Fringillidae)
Subfamily : Goldfinches (Carduelinae)
Tribe : Carduelini
Genre : Siskin ( Spinus )
Type : Siskin
Scientific name
Spinus crassirostris
( Landbeck , 1877)

The thick-billed siskin ( Spinus crassirostris , Syn . : Carduelis crassirostris ) is a songbird species from the finch family . The subspecies Spinus crassirostris crassirostris and S. c. amadoni distinguished. The latter is named after the American ornithologist Dean Amadon .

features

The thick-billed siskin reaches a size of 13.5 to 14.5 centimeters and a weight of 19 grams, whereby the subspecies S. c. amadoni becomes larger than the nominate form. It looks very similar to the Magellan icelandic ( Sarduelis magellanica ), but its beak is much thicker. In the male, the middle of the abdomen is white. The under tail-coverts are yellow. In the female, the plumage is dirty gray with a whitish belly. Both sexes of the subspecies S. c. amadoni show a duller plumage, the upper side and rump of the male are dull-olive and less yellowish in color than in the nominate form. The underside is more greyish-white. The under tail-coverts are mainly white with a light yellow tinge and some dark streaks. The females of the subspecies are greyish and less olive colored. With them, the under tail-coverts are whitish with dark streaks. The iris is brown. The barrel and feet are black. The upper bill is black, the lower bill is horn-brown. The alarm call consists of a rough “ chler-ee ”.

Occurrence

The distribution area extends to the Andes in western and southern Peru (from Ancash and Pasco south to Arequipa , Tacna and Puno ), to western Bolivia ( Cochabamba and Potosí ), to western Argentina ( Jujuy and the region south of Mendoza ) and in central Chile (on the Río Aconcagua and in the province of Santiago ). The subspecies C. c. amadoni occurs in the far north of Chile , in western Bolivia and in southwestern Peru.

habitat

The thick-billed siskin inhabits Polylepis forests and montane scrubland at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,400 m.

Way of life

The siskin usually goes for food in pairs or in small groups. The food mainly consists of the buds of the Polylepis trees.

Existence and endangerment

The thick-billed siskin is described as infrequent to rare. Information on the size of the population is not available, but it appears to be considered stable. BirdLife International classifies the species as "not endangered" (least concern).

literature

  • Robert S. Ridgely , Guy Tudor , William Liddle Brown: The Birds of South America. Volume I: The Oscine Passerines. Jays and Swallows, Wrens, Thrushes, and Allies, Vireos and Wood-Warblers, Tanagers, Icterids, and Finches. University of Texas Press, 1989, ISBN 9780292707566 .
  • William G. Georgie: A Peruvian Race of Spinus crassirostris . In: The Condor . Vol. 66, 1963: pp. 248-250.

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