Green-faced parrotfinch
| Green-faced parrotfinch | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Estrildidae |
| Genus: | Erythrura |
| Species: | E. viridifacies
|
| Binomial name | |
| Erythrura viridifacies | |
The green-faced parrotfinch (Erythrura viridifacies) is a rare species of estrildid finch found in northern Philippines, on Luzon, Mindoro, Panay, Negros and Cebu islands. Its local name is mayang-kawayan in Tagalog.[2] It is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN and is threated by habitat loss, deforestation and the illegal cage bird trade.[3]
Description
[edit]
The green-faced parrotfinch is approximately 12–13 centimetres (4.7–5.1 in) long. This species green plumage except for its bright red uppertail-coverts and tail and darker fringes to the primaries. It has a long pointed tail. The female is slightly shorter and shows buff on the lower belly and vent. Both sexes have a large, dark bill. The green-faced parrotfinch makes a short, high-pitched tsit tsit, chattering and grating notes.
Generally rare, it found 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level in montane forest and forest edge and even in grassland and shruberry. It is irruptive, visiting flowering bamboos even in the lowlands and eating its seeds. During bamboo blooms, flocks as many as one thousand birds have been observed. It is believed to be nomadic. Otherwise, not much else is known about this bird, where it breeds, and its dispersive qualities and if they travel across islands.[3] It was only discovered on Cebu in 2000 and then in Mindoro in 2013. [4][5]
Habitat and Conservation Status
[edit]It inhabits tropical moist montane forest, forest edge and even savannah, often above 1,000 m, but is occasionally found in the lowlands. It is usually found together with flowering or seeding bamboos, which are its food supply.[6]
The IUCN has assessed this species as Vulnerable with the population being estimated at 6,000 to 15,000 mature individuals remaining. This species is threatened by deforestation which removes its food supply (bamboo seeds). The cage-bird trade in the 1930s to the 1980s has also affected its population as large numbers of green-faced parrotfinch in many districts of Manila have been caught and exported to the United States.[5] Despite a large number of birds entering the avicultural scene in the 1980s, no captive breeding has occured.[7]
This species is currently conserved in two protected areas, the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and Bataan Natural Park/Subic Bay but actual enforcement is lax. Also, due to its nomadic habits, occurrence in protected areas does not necessarily confer continuous protection.
Proposed conservation actions include more fieldwork and observations to properly understand its true range and disperasal habits. Its also proposed that more research be conducted on its diet and ecology of the bamboos it feeds on and that areas that support parrotfinch and its favored bamboo species.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ BirdLife International (2017). "Erythrura viridifacies". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22719703A111123408. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22719703A111123408.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Kennedy, Robert (2000). A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines. OUP Oxford. ISBN 9780198546689.
- ^ a b "Green-Faced Parrotfinch". Birds of the World.
- ^ Paguntalan, Lisa Marie; Jakosalem, Philip Godfrey (2008). "Significant records of birds in forests on Cebu island, central Philippines" (PDF). Forktail. 24: 48–56.
- ^ a b c Payne, Robert B. (2020). "Green-faced Parrotfinch (Erythrura viridifacies), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.grfpar1.01. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ Allen, Desmond (2020). Birds of the Philippines. Barcelona: Lynx and Birdlife International Fieldguides. pp. 364–365.
- ^ Morley, I (1984). "Experiences with the Green-faced Parrot Finch". The Grassfinch. 8: 108–110.
External links
[edit]
- Species factsheet – BirdLife International
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