The protea canary (Crithagra leucoptera), also known as the protea seedeater, white-winged seedeater or Layard's seedeater, is a small passerinebird in the finchfamily.
The protea canary was formerly placed in the genusSerinus but phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences found that the genus was polyphyletic.[2] The genus was therefore split and a number of species including the protea canary were moved to the resurrected genus Crithagra.[3][4]
Descriptionedit
The protea canary is 15–16 cm in length with a large pale bill. The adult has grey-brown upperparts, a black chin, white throat and two thin buff wing bars. The underparts are buff with light streaking. The sexes are similar, but young birds are more heavily streaked below than the adults.
The call of the protea canary is a trilled tree-lee-loo or a sweet. The song is a loud medley of warbles and trills, with much mimicry.
Distribution and habitatedit
It is an endemic resident breeder in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. This species is found in mature protea scrub, tangled valley thickets and forests in the mountains of the Western Cape Province. Its range does not reach the coast.
Behaviouredit
The protea canary builds an open cup nest from thin stems and other plant material and lined with plant down. It is placed in a dense bush.
The protea canary is less gregarious than other canaries. It tends to be found singly or in pairs, or occasionally in small groups. It is a shy and retiring bird which stays in thick vegetation. When it flies, it soon dives back into cover. It feeds on seeds, (particularly those of proteas, Othonna amplericaules and Rhus anarcardia) and some fruit, nectar and shoots. Insects are occasionally eaten.
Referencesedit
Citations
^BirdLife International (2017). "Crithagra leucoptera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22720283A118562907. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22720283A118562907.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
^Zuccon, Dario; Prŷs-Jones, Robert; Rasmussen, Pamela C.; Ericson, Per G.P. (2012). "The phylogenetic relationships and generic limits of finches (Fringillidae)" (PDF). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 62 (2): 581–596. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2011.10.002. PMID 22023825.
^Gill, Frank; Donsker, David (eds.). "Finches, euphonias". World Bird List Version 5.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
^Swainson, William (1827). "On several forms in ornithology not hitherto defined". Zoological Journal. 3: 348.
Bibliography
Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey and Warwick Tarboton, SASOL Birds of Southern Africa (Struik 2002) ISBN1-86872-721-1
Clement, Harris and Davis, Finches and Sparrows by ISBN0-7136-8017-2
External linksedit
Species text - The Atlas of Southern African Birds
January 01, 1970
protea, canary, protea, canary, crithagra, leucoptera, also, known, protea, seedeater, white, winged, seedeater, layard, seedeater, small, passerine, bird, finch, family, illustration, william, matthew, hart, 1888, conservation, status, near, threatened, iucn,. The protea canary Crithagra leucoptera also known as the protea seedeater white winged seedeater or Layard s seedeater is a small passerine bird in the finch family Protea canary Illustration by William Matthew Hart 1888 Conservation status Near Threatened IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Aves Order Passeriformes Family Fringillidae Subfamily Carduelinae Genus Crithagra Species C leucoptera Binomial name Crithagra leucopteraSharpe 1871 Synonyms Serinus leucopterus Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Description 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Behaviour 5 References 6 External linksTaxonomy editThe protea canary was formerly placed in the genus Serinus but phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences found that the genus was polyphyletic 2 The genus was therefore split and a number of species including the protea canary were moved to the resurrected genus Crithagra 3 4 Description editThe protea canary is 15 16 cm in length with a large pale bill The adult has grey brown upperparts a black chin white throat and two thin buff wing bars The underparts are buff with light streaking The sexes are similar but young birds are more heavily streaked below than the adults The call of the protea canary is a trilled tree lee loo or a sweet The song is a loud medley of warbles and trills with much mimicry Distribution and habitat editIt is an endemic resident breeder in the Western Cape Province South Africa This species is found in mature protea scrub tangled valley thickets and forests in the mountains of the Western Cape Province Its range does not reach the coast Behaviour editThe protea canary builds an open cup nest from thin stems and other plant material and lined with plant down It is placed in a dense bush The protea canary is less gregarious than other canaries It tends to be found singly or in pairs or occasionally in small groups It is a shy and retiring bird which stays in thick vegetation When it flies it soon dives back into cover It feeds on seeds particularly those of proteas Othonna amplericaules and Rhus anarcardia and some fruit nectar and shoots Insects are occasionally eaten References editCitations BirdLife International 2017 Crithagra leucoptera IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017 e T22720283A118562907 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2017 3 RLTS T22720283A118562907 en Retrieved 18 November 2021 Zuccon Dario Prŷs Jones Robert Rasmussen Pamela C Ericson Per G P 2012 The phylogenetic relationships and generic limits of finches Fringillidae PDF Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 62 2 581 596 doi 10 1016 j ympev 2011 10 002 PMID 22023825 Gill Frank Donsker David eds Finches euphonias World Bird List Version 5 2 International Ornithologists Union Retrieved 5 June 2015 Swainson William 1827 On several forms in ornithology not hitherto defined Zoological Journal 3 348 Bibliography Ian Sinclair Phil Hockey and Warwick Tarboton SASOL Birds of Southern Africa Struik 2002 ISBN 1 86872 721 1 Clement Harris and Davis Finches and Sparrows by ISBN 0 7136 8017 2External links editSpecies text The Atlas of Southern African Birds Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Protea canary amp oldid 1123677296, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
