Ron's Critter of the Day

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves (Feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic (warm-blooded), egg-laying, vertebrates)
Order: Passeriformes (passerines or perching birds) Toes; three pointing forward and one back.
Family: Thraupidae (Tanagers).

Genus/species: Sicalis flaveola

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Forehead and crown bright orange. Yellow head, greenish-yellow mantle and back, bright yellow underparts. Female duller above and lighter below. Black maxilla (upper beak), pale mandible (lower beak),
The legs are dark pink.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Common in the South American tropics of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and Argentina. Found in open and semi-open forests and fields from lowland areas to 1850 m (6000 feet). Prefer drier areas; generally reside outside the Amazon basin.

DIET IN THE WILD: Forage in pairs or larger groups for seeds,
insects, and plant matter.

REPRODUCTION: Nest in tree hollows, though use nesting boxes in captivity. Female lays 3–4 white eggs; incubation, 12–14 days. Female incubates the eggs, male guards the nest. After eggs hatch, both parents feed the young, and fledging takes place in about 2 weeks.

REMARKS: Saffron finches are a favorite caged bird because of their handsome colors and pleasant song. Technically classified not a finch but as a tanager.

References

IUCN Red List www.iucnredlist.org/details/22723346/0

Finch Information Center www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/species/saffron_finch.php

Ron’s flickr   http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608454346681/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-f9