Diuca Finch
Diuca diuca
Distinctive and attractive “finch” (actually a tanager); common in lowlands and foothills of central Chile and Argentina, uncommon south into Patagonia. Feeds on ground and often seen on gravel roadsides, lawns, and stony slopes, where it moves with a distinctive shuffling gait. Often in small flocks, associating readily with other seed-eating birds. Big white tail corners show in flight and when flushed off roadsides. Song of fairly loud, bright chips is given from perch such as atop a bush or wire.
Taxonomy
The diuca finch was formally described in 1782 by the Chilean naturalist Juan Ignacio Molina under the binomial name Fringilla diuca. The specific epithet is from the Araucano names Diuca or Siuca for this species. With the transfer of the glacier finch (formerly white-winged diuca finch) to Idiopsar or Chionodacryon, the diuca finch is now the only member of the genus Diuca, which was introduced in 1850 by the German naturalist Ludwig Reichenbach.<p>Four subspecies are recognised:
- Scientific name
- Diuca diuca
- Authority
- (Molina, 1782)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Diuca
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Malagasy Kingfisher
Corythornis vintsioides
Small, gem-like wetland kingfisher. Found in almost all habitats with water, including streams, rivers, lakes, rice paddies, and along the coast. Sits motionless for long periods before plunging to the water to snatch prey. Call is a harsh “tshik,” often given in flight. Separated from Madagascar Pygmy-Kingfisher by blue upperparts and mostly dark bill. Prefers wetlands, whereas Pygmy-Kingfisher is found in forest.
Lined Seedeater
Sporophila lineola
Very small finchlike bird with a short stubby bill. Males are mostly black with a white belly. Note the male’s white crown and large white mustache. Females are dull and plain brown and are difficult to separate from the Lesson’s Seedeater of Amazonia. Found in grasslands and shrubby areas; often seen in large flocks, especially on migration.
Crested Lark
Galerida cristata
Medium sized lark with a prominent crest. Separated from the more range-restricted Thekla's Lark by longer bill with straight lower mandible and usually longer and spikier crest. Lots of variation in plumage color, which matches local soil types, but usually grayer and darker than Eurasian Skylark. Short tail and rust-tinged underwings obvious in flight. Found in dry areas with scarce vegetation, especially agricultural land and at roadsides. Song is an often magnificently long and highly impressive series of varied jumbled twitters, trills, warbles, and slurred notes. Often gives a plaintive “ch’wee.”
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