Socotra Grosbeak
Rhynchostruthus socotranus
Handsome chunky gray-brown finch with a massive dark bill. Blackish hood, white ear-patches, and golden stripes in the dark wings and tail make this an easily recognizable species. Female has a paler, less well-defined hood than the male, and less yellow in the tail. Juvenile is buffier (including ear-patches) and more streaky overall. Singles, pairs and groups (up to 30) are a common endemic resident on Socotra, where it inhabits woodlands, dry scrubby rocky terrain, slopes, and riverbeds. Forages on the ground, as well as in trees, where they occasionally dangle by their feet, like parrots. Can be quite skittish. Song is a pleasant rolling series of sweet notes with an almost thrush-like quality. Call a quick whip-like "weet".
Identification
The males are grey-brown overall with a black bill, a dark head with a black mask, large white cheek patches, and large, bright yellow patches on the wings and tail. The females are similar to the males though somewhat duller, and the juveniles are rather streaky and lack the adults' distinctive head pattern.
Taxonomy
Genus: Rhynchostruthus; Family: Fringillidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Rhynchostruthus socotranus
- Authority
- Sclater, PL & Hartlaub, 1881
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Rhynchostruthus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
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