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Spinus siemiradzkii

Carduelis siemiradzkii

Identification

This is a small (11cm), bright yellow-and-black finch. The male is yellow with black hood, tail and wings, and yellow covert fringes and primary bases. The female is duller and lacks hood. It has a high twittering flight-call and favours weedy areas in quebradas and washes.

Distribution

Spinus siemiradzkii is confined to south-west Ecuador (Manabí, Guayas and Loja) and adjacent north-west Peru (Tumbes). It is uncommon to rare, being considered relatively common in only two areas.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.
Formerly placed in genus Carduelis.

Habitat

It inhabits semi-arid scrub and dry forest, also forest-edge tall grass and scrub, from near sea-level to 750 m. However, it may depend on deciduous forest during part of its life-cycle. Most localities appear to be close to the forest-arid scrub interface.

Behaviour

Breeding is apparently during the wet season in January-May. It may undertake seasonal or nomadic movements, and may respond to climatic events such as El Niño . It is generally seen in groups, sometimes as large as 30 individuals.

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