Ethiopian Siskin
Serinus nigriceps
An attractive seedeater of the Ethiopian highlands. The distinctive males have a black head and an olive-green and yellow body. Females are duller and heavily streaked, though less so below. Both sexes have a black wing with bold white wingbars. Found in a wide variety of montane habitats including forest edge, grassland, heath, cultivated areas, and areas of human habitation, usually in small flocks. The male is distinctive, but females can be confused with African Citril or Yellow-crowned Canary. They are distinguished by their lack of a pale eyebrow, darker overall coloration, stronger wingbars, and reduced streaking below. The song is a rapid jumble of twitters and whistles.
Identification
The Ethiopian siskin or Abyssinian siskin (Serinus nigriceps) is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is found only in Ethiopia, usually at altitudes above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) in the Ethiopian Highlands. The bird's natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude Afromontane grassland.
Taxonomy
Genus: Serinus; Family: Fringillidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Serinus nigriceps
- Authority
- Rüppell, 1840
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Serinus
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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