Alternative name: Canary-winged Finch;
(Black-throated Finch which has been used for this species is preoccupied by Poephila cincta)
- Melanodera melanodera
Identification
14-15cm. Male -grey-green upperparts, yellow underparts, grey head and upper breast, black throat and mask bordered with white, large yellow patches in the wings and tail. Female - brown with dark streaks, yellow outer tail-feathers and yellow fringes to wing feathers.
Distribution
Falkland Islands, southern Argentina and Chile.
Taxonomy
There are 2 subspecies:
- M. melanodera of the Falklands shows the white bridle very well
- M. princetoniana of southern Argentina and Chile ("Canary-winged Finch") has highly contrasting yellow wings
Habitat
Grasslands, heathland, farmland or dunes.
Behaviour
The diet includes seeds, especially grass.
The nest is built of grass, lined with hair or feathers, placed low down in grass or between stones. 3-4 blue-grey or grey-green eggs with purple-brown markings, are laid.
References
Wikipedia
