Black siskin
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S. atrata
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| Binomial name | |
| Spinus atrata Lafresnaye & D'Orbigny, 1837
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Sporagra atrata, |
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The black siskin (Spinus atrata) is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland and subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland.
Contents
Description
The black siskin grows to a length of about 13 centimetres (5 in). The male is mostly a glossy black colour with the exception of a band of yellow at the base of the primaries, and the base of the tail and the lower belly which are yellow. The female is similar but the black part of the plumage is less glossy and more brownish. The only other bird within its range with which it might be confused is the yellow-rumped siskin (Spinus uropygialis). When stationary they are easily distinguished, but in flight the black siskin displays various patches of yellow plumage on its rump and on the wings which enhances the similarity.[2]
Distribution and habitat
This is a bird of the high Andes Mountains in South America.[3] Its range extends from central Peru and northern Chile to western Argentina. Its height range is 3,500 to 4,500 metres (11,500 to 14,800 ft) but at the southern end of its range it occurs at slightly lower altitudes. Its typical habitat is rocky slopes and ravines, and the tussocky grassland with low shrubs that occurs in the Puna grassland ecoregion. It also occurs around habitations. It is often seen in pairs or in small flocks, sometimes with other species of finch, and generally forages on the ground or in low bushes.[3]
Phylogeny
The phylogeny of this and other closely related finches has been investigated by Antonio Arnaiz-Villena et al.[4][5][6]
Status
S. atrata has a wide range and is a fairly common species, but is patchily distributed. The population trend seems to be stable, so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- Clement, Peter; Harris, Alan & Davis, John (1993): Finches and Sparrows: an identification guide. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-8017-2
External links
Media related to Spinus atrata at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Spinus atrata at Wikispecies
