Reichenow's Seedeater

Crithagra reichenowi

A gray-brown seedeater with a complex brown-and-white facial pattern and a yellow rump that is conspicuous in flight. Found in savanna, woodland, and cultivated areas, usually in small flocks. Similar to Yellow-rumped Serin, but has a stronger facial pattern and usually more streaking below. Separated from White-rumped Seedeater by the yellow rump and the more strongly patterned face. Also similar to Yellow-throated and Salvadori’s Serins, but separated by the white rather than yellow throat. The song is a constant stream of musical whistles and trills. 

Identification

Reichenow's seedeater (Crithagra reichenowi) is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is sometimes considered conspecific with the black-throated canary. The Reichenow's seedeater was formerly placed in the genus Serinus but phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences found that the genus was polyphyletic. The genus was therefore split and a number of species including the Reichenow's seedeater were moved to the resurrected genus Crithagra.

Taxonomy

Genus: Crithagra; Family: Fringillidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Crithagra reichenowi
Authority
(Salvadori, 1888)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Fringillidae
Genus
Crithagra

Range and habitat

It is found frequently in eastern Africa.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, dry savanna, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: stable.

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Eared Grebe

Eared Grebe

Podiceps nigricollis

Small, compact grebe with thin pointed bill. Breeding adults mostly black with chestnut flanks; look for wispy golden plumes on cheek and peaked head shape. In winter, grayish overall with a dark cap blending into the dark cheek, and a smudgy dark neck. Red eye visible at close range. Breeds on marshy ponds and lakes; during migration and winter, often seen on large lakes, bays, and open ocean. Compare with Horned Grebe, especially in winter. Eared is thinner-necked and smaller-headed, with more peaked crown, darker cheek, and no pale tip on bill.

Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker

Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker

Dicaeum nehrkorni

A tiny, short-tailed songbird. Unmistakable male is dark with a red cap, breast spot, and rump. Underparts white, with a dark vertical line on the belly and white tufts on sides of breast. Female is gray, with red confined to rump; this color patterning is diagnostic. Juvenile resembles female, but lacks the red rump. Singles or pairs inhabit the upper reaches of hill and montane forest and forest edges. Restricted to Sulawesi. Gives thin, high-pitched “tzeet” and “kwit” call notes. Song starts with “tzeet-tzeet” phrases, then descends into a rapid warble.

Short-tailed Woodstar

Short-tailed Woodstar

Myrmia micrura

Tiny hummingbird with a very short tail found in arid scrub and desert in western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Male has glittering violet “beard” that is bordered by white above and below. Female lacks throat patch and has a buffy tinge to underparts, faint facial stripes, and a white tip to the tail. Female is told from other similar species in range by very short tail that does not reach wingtips when perched and white tip of tail (not white edges or corners).

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.