Tenerife blue chaffinch

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Tenerife blue chaffinch
Male

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Subfamily: Fringillinae
Genus: Fringilla
Species:
F. teydea
Binomial name
Fringilla teydea

The Tenerife blue chaffinch (Fringilla teydea) is a species of passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is endemic to Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands. This bird is the natural symbol of this island, together with the Canary Islands dragon tree.[2]

Taxonomy

Until 2015, the species Fringilla teydea was classified into two subspecies: Fringilla teydea polatzeki from Gran Canaria and Fringilla teydea teydea from Tenerife.[3] However, a study published in March 2016 showed that a classification as different species, Fringilla polatzeki and Fringilla teydea, is justified.[4]

Description

Tenerife blue chaffinches resemble

common chaffinches, but they are noticeably larger, and have a thicker bill. They are characteristically more uniform in their plumage, and they lack a dark cap. Females are a dull grey-brown, but can be distinguished from chaffinches by their weaker wing bars. Breeding males are unmistakable, with the namesake largely blue plumage and a grey bill.[3]

Distribution

This bird is found only in the highlands of Tenerife.

The species' primary habitat is mountain

Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis) forest. It is most common in coniferous forest areas with dense undergrowth, but it is also found in laurel and pine woodland, tree-heath, and scrub.[3]
It prefers habitat at around 1,100–2,000 m (3,600–6,600 ft), but it will descend in bad weather.[1]

Behaviour

The Tenerife blue chaffinch's song is shorter and weaker than that of the common chaffinch, and the flight call is croakier. It primarily eats Canary Island pine seeds. Like the common chaffinch, but unlike most other finches, its young are fed extensively on insects.

broom branches, and lays two eggs.[5] This bird is not migratory. Individuals may form small flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes associating with common chaffinches and other finches.[3]

Gallery

  • Female
    Female
  • Egg of Fringilla teydea teydea MHNT
    Egg of Fringilla teydea teydea
    MHNT

See also

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T103822567A111091603.en
    . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Símbolos de la naturaleza para las Islas Canarias [Natural Symbols for the Canary Islands] (Ley 7/1991) (in Spanish). Vol. 151. 30 April 1991. pp. 20946–20497 – via BOE.
  3. ^
    ISBN 0-691-03424-9
    .
  4. doi:10.1111/jav.00825
    .
  5. ISBN 92-871-3066-3
    .

External links
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