Yemen Linnet
Linaria yemenensis
A fine-billed finch with a notched tail. Male is neatly patterned, with a dusty orange back and flanks contrasting sharply with sandy gray hood and rump; also note pale central belly stripe. Mostly black wings and tail have prominent bright white flashes which are most visible in flight. Female is much duller, with more prominent streaking. Juvenile is buffier and streakier overall than adults. Inhabits dry hills of the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, where pairs and small groups can be found in juniper forest, lightly wooded slopes, and river valleys between 1700–3000m. Forages on the ground, and perches on exposed branches and dead trees. Sings a typical canary-like song with whistles, trills, and buzzes. Call is a high-pitched “tirrit”. Streaky juvenile could be confused with a canary, but white in the wing is distinctive.
Identification
The Yemen linnet (Linaria yemenensis) is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is native to the Southwestern Arabian foothills savanna (Saudi Arabia and Yemen). Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. The Yemen linnet has not yet been examined genetically; it was formerly placed in the genus Carduelis but was assigned to the genus Linaria based on its plumage similarities to the common linnet Linaria cannabina.
Taxonomy
Genus: Linaria; Family: Fringillidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Linaria yemenensis
- Authority
- (Ogilvie-Grant, 1913)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Linaria
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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