- 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.