White-bridled Finch
A species of Bridled finches, Also known as American Black-throated Finch Scientific name : Melanodera melanodera Genus : Bridled finches
White-bridled Finch, A species of Bridled finches
Also known as:
American Black-throated Finch
Botanical name: Melanodera melanodera
Genus: Bridled finches
Content
Description General Info
Description
The male is grey-green above and yellow below with a grey head and upper breast. It has a black throat and mask which are bordered with white. There are large yellow patches in the wings and tail. Females are brown with dark streaks. They have yellow outer tail-feathers and yellow fringes to the wing feathers. It is 14–15 cm long. Birds on the mainland are smaller than those on the Falklands with a smaller bill and more yellow in the wings and tail. The call is a short, high-pitched note and the song is a repeated series of two or three whistles. It sings from a low perch such as a rock or grass tussock.
Size
15 cm
Feeding Habits
White-bridled Finch feeds mainly on seeds from grasses, sorrel, chickweed, and other plants, occasionally consuming flowers and arthropods. This species forages on the ground and from grass seedheads, often seen alone or in pairs, and gathering in flocks during the non-breeding season.
Habitat
The white-bridled Finch is commonly found inhabiting open grasslands characterized by perennial bunch-grasses, including regions with 'tussock' or 'coirón'. These areas typically feature grass species such as Stipa, Poa ligularis, and Bromus pictus. Additionally, they can be located in heathlands with dwarf shrubs and grassy zones close to beaches, as well as dunes dominated by marram grass and tussac grasslands.
Dite type
Granivorous
General Info
Behavior
It forages on the ground, feeding mainly on seeds, especially those of grasses. The nest is built of grass and lined with hair or feathers. It is placed low down in grass or between stones. Three or four eggs are laid, these are blue-grey or grey-green with purple-brown markings towards the larger end.
Distribution Area
It is common throughout the Falklands where it occurs up to about 150m above sea-level but is most often found in coastal areas. On the South American mainland it is thinly-distributed up to 580m above sea-level in Magallanes Region in Chile and Santa Cruz Province in Argentina. Its range extends southwards from about 47°S to northern Tierra del Fuego. It is typically found in flat areas of grassland, heathland, farmland or dunes. The population on the Falklands is about 7,000-14,000 pairs and the species is not considered to be threatened. However it is thought to be declining on the mainland because of overgrazing.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Tanagers Genus
Bridled finches Species
White-bridled Finch