Strichelgirlitz
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Strichelgirlitz ( Crithagra striolata ) |
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| Crithagra striolata | ||||||||||||
| ( Rüppell , 1840) |
The Strichelgirlitz ( Crithagra striolata , Syn . : Serinus striolatus ) is a species from the finch family . The species occurs exclusively in East Africa .
There are two subspecies. The IUCN classifies the Strichelgirlitz as not endangered ( least concern ).
Appearance
The Strichelgirlitz reaches a body length of 13.5 to 15 centimeters. It has more longitudinal stripes than any other type of girlitz. Another characteristic of this species is the light stripe above the eyes, which runs from the eye to the neck. There is no sexual dimorphism .
Strichelgirlitzes are olive-brown with black-brown vertical stripes on the upper side of the body. On the forehead, the top of the head, the back of the neck and the sides of the neck, as well as the coat, there are also light vertical stripes that are formed by the light-colored feather hems. The region between the base of the beak and the eyes and the ear covers are black-brown. The chin is olive yellow, the chest and flanks are greyish, with some feathers having yellowish seams. There are short, black-brown vertical stripes on the chest. The longitudinal stripes on the flanks are somewhat longer. The belly and the lower tail-coverts are pale grayish, the feathers of the lower tail-coverts have blackish shafts. The eyes are hazel to dark brown, the legs are also dark brown.
Fledglings resemble the adult birds, but are paler than these on the upper side of the body and have more light vertical stripes on the coat. The subspecies Serinus striolatus graueri , which occurs in eastern Congo , southwest Uganda and Rwanda , differs from the nominate form Serinus striolatus striolatus by the darker upper surface of the body. The underside of the body is also more brown.
There are possibilities of confusion with the Miombogirlitz and the Brauengirlitz . The Strichelgirlitz differs from these two other types of girlitz by the broad, dark stripe of beard.
Distribution area and habitat
The Strichelgirlitz occurs from Eritrea to the east of the Congo and the north of Tanzania . In Eritrea it is a common and widespread bird at altitudes above 950 meters. It only becomes increasingly rare above 2,000 to 2,300 meters in altitude. In the west, south and south-east of Ethiopia , it is common in the high altitudes above 2,100 meters, while it is less common below 1,500 meters. In Sudan , Kenya , Rwanda and Congo, it is generally only found in the mountains. On Kilimanjaro it still breeds at altitudes of 2,500 meters.
In the highlands, it populates dry forests, the edge of damp forests, scrubland, thickets and abandoned, overgrown cultural areas. The Strichelgirlitz can also be found in clearings in dense forests. In the highlands of Kenya, it is also a common bird in the outskirts of settlements and in gardens. In Nairobi it can also be found at feeding stations. On Kilimanjaro , it is particularly common in places where the forest has been partially cleared.
Way of life
The Strichelgirlitz usually occurs singly or in pairs. It is a shy bird that is not very happy to call and looks for food mainly in the middle of the tree and bush area. The diet consists of small seeds, berries and insects. It is a monogamous and territorial single breeder. The nest is a deep, open bowl made of small roots, small branches, fine grass, flower stalks, bark fibers, animal hair and feathers. The nest is usually built 1 to 1.5 meters above the ground. The nesting site is typically well shaded by the foliage. The clutch consists of three to six eggs. These are pale blue to whitish and white with some brown and purple markings and scribbles. The female breeds alone, the breeding season is 12 days. Both parent birds are involved in feeding the young birds, but the nestlings are exclusively fledged by the female in the first days of life. It protects the young birds from direct sunlight by standing on the edge of the nest with partially open wings and thus shading the young birds. The nestling period is 14 to 15 days.
In Kenya, the Strichelgirlitz usually raises two broods between March and August and a third later in the year.
literature
- C. Hilary Fry and Stuart Keith (Eds.): The Birds of Africa. Volume VII. Christopher Helm, London 2004, ISBN 0-7136-6531-9 .
Single receipts
Web links
- Crithagra striolata inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017.3. Listed by: BirdLife International, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2018.