Green-faced parrotfinch

The green-faced parrotfinch (Erythrura viridifacies) is a species of estrildid finch found in northern Philippines, around Luzon, Negros and Panay. Its local name is mayang-kawayan in Tagalog.[2]

Green-faced parrotfinch
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Estrildidae
Genus: Erythrura
Species:
E. viridifacies
Binomial name
Erythrura viridifacies

Identification

The green-faced parrotfinch is approximately 12–13 cm long. This species green plumage except for its bright red uppertail-coverts and tail and darker fringes to the primaries. It has a long pointed tail. The female is slightly shorter and shows buff on the lower belly and vent. Both sexes have a large, dark bill. The green-faced parrotfinch makes a short, high-pitched tsit tsit, chattering and grating notes.

Habitats

It inhabits tropical moist forest (including degraded areas), forest edge and even savannah, often above 1,000 m, but is occasionally found in the lowlands. It is usually found together with flowering or seeding bamboos, which are its food supply.

Threats

This species is threatened by deforestation which removes its food supply (bamboo seeds). The cage-bird trade has also affected its population as large numbers of green-faced parrotfinch in many districts of Manila have been caught and exported to the United States.

Conservation measures

This species is currently conserved in two protected areas, the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and Bataan Natural Park/Subic Bay. However, due to its nomadic habits, occurrence in protected areas does not necessarily confer continual protection. It was also proposed to conduct research on the distribution of the bamboos upon which it relies, and assess its response to deforestation and attempt to understand its movements, then afford protection to key sites found to support populations and favoured bamboos.

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References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Erythrura viridifacies". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Kennedy, Robert (2000). "A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines".


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