Indonesian Serin
Chrysocorythus estherae
Rare and localized highland finch, restricted to upper montane forest and open scrubby and grassy habitats above the treeline. Generally not very obvious, often foraging quietly in dense growth, but flocks will sometimes betray their presence by flying overhead and giving a chorus of chittering twitter calls. Found only on high peaks in Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi. Combination of thick conical bill, bright yellow wing-bars, and well-streaked underparts are unique within this species’ range and habitat. A currently undescribed population in north-central Sulawesi has reddish-orange in place of other populations’ yellow patches. Song is a dry, whirring buzz following a few husky notes.
Identification
The Indonesian serin (Chrysocorythus estherae) is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is found in Indonesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forest and subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland. The Indonesian serin was formerly placed in the genus Serinus but a phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences found that the species was not closely related to other member of Serinus nor to the geographically nearest finch, the Vietnamese greenfinch but to the European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis and to the Citril Finch Carduelis citrinella. The species was therefore assigned to a separate genus Chrysocorythus, a name that had previously been proposed by the German ornithologist Hans Edmund Wolters in 1967. The Mindanao serin (C. mindanensis) of Mindanao was formerly considered conspecific, together called the mountain serin, but was split as a distinct species by the IOC in 2021. The Indonesian serin is polytypic with four subspecies, including the nominate subspecies of western Java. The other races include: Chrysocorythus estherae vanderbilti (Meyer de Schauensee, 1939) (including Serinus estherae ripleyi Chasen, 1939). Sumatra. Chrysocorythus estherae orientalis (Chasen, 1940) (including the replacement name Serinus estherae chaseni). Tengger range, eastern Java. Chrysocorythus estherae renatae (Schuchmann & Wolters, 1982). Mount Rantekombola, Sulawesi. There are also outstanding records of an unusual taxon of this species in Lore Lindu National Park, northern Central Sulawesi.
Taxonomy
Genus: Chrysocorythus; Family: Fringillidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Chrysocorythus estherae
- Authority
- (Finsch, 1902)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Chrysocorythus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Cabot's Tragopan
Tragopan caboti
This creamy, partridge-like beauty is the only tragopan in its range and the world’s only pale-bellied tragopan. A thickset bird, usually encountered foraging in pairs in mid-altitude hill forest. Male is pale below and intricately spotted above, with pale polka dots on a black-and-chestnut background; has a similarly black-and-chestnut head with bright orange facial skin. Female is dark gray-brown with a slightly paler face and belly; wings and belly streaked paler. During courtship, male drums wings loudly and gives a bizarre, scarily infant-like waaah! followed by loud grunting notes.
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
Tiny woodpecker, common and widespread across much of North America. Black-and-white plumage is nearly identical to the larger Hairy Woodpecker. Focus on the bill: Downy has a very short bill, much shorter than the length of the head. Also note the small black markings on the white outer tail feathers. Pacific population has smaller white spots on the wing and a grayer body than Eastern birds. Occurs in any wooded habitat, though western birds are more restricted to riparian areas. Often forages on smaller branches than Hairy Woodpecker. Familiar visitor to backyard feeders, especially fond of suet. Calls include a soft “pik!” and descending rattle, weaker than Hairy Woodpecker.
Black-legged Seriema
Chunga burmeisteri
Tall terrestrial predator of the Chaco region. Plumage distinctively shaggy. Prefers dense, spiny vegetation, often with thick undergrowth, but can occur in nearby open areas. Smaller and shyer than Red-legged Seriema. Despite its large size, can be difficult to see, and is more often detected by its loud, far-carrying song.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.