The red-eared parrotfinch (Erythrura coloria) is a species of estrildid finch endemic to Mindanao in the Philippines. It's known for its striking plumage of a green body, a blue face and the eponymous red-ear. It is found in tropical montane forest above 1,000 meters above sea level.
| Red-eared parrotfinch | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Estrildidae |
| Genus: | Erythrura |
| Species: | E. coloria
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| Binomial name | |
| Erythrura coloria | |
Description and taxonomy
editEBird describes the bird as "A small bird of montane forest and scrub on Mindanao. Usually forages on the ground for seeds. Overall green with a bright red rump and uppertail and a blue face with a prominent red crescent curving around from behind the eye to the side of the throat. Note the pale legs and the thick black bill. Female is similar to the male, but with less blue and red on the head. Voice includes a short, high-pitched tinkling trill."[2]
The red-eared parrotfinch is probably present on every mountain in central Mindanao. It is a very unobtrusive and secretive bird. And its high-pitched call is easily overlooked. Its voice, however, is not uncommon at Kitanglad.
Ecology and behavior
editUnlike the green-faced parrotfinch (E. viridifacies), it does not appear to be strongly dependent on bamboo, and is therefore less irruptive, unpredictable and vulnerable than that species.[3] Diet consists of seeds of grasses, thistles, opium and flax. Also feeds on fruits and small insects. This species has recorded feeding on the non-native coffee berries. Forages low and close to the ground. Forages alone or in small groups.
Not much published data on wild breeding behaviour. Breeding season is believed to be from January to April. Nest is made of mosses. Based on birds in captivity, clutch size is 1 to 3 eggs and takes 14 days to incubate, nestling period is 21 to 23 days and an additional feeding period of 14 days. Adult plummages is reached in 3 to 4 months.[4]
Habitat and conservation status
editThe species inhabits forest understorey and edge, second growth and grassy clearings at altitude over 1,000m. The IUCN has classified as Least Concern but was formerly listed as near threatened. Despite its limited range, it is said to be locally common. As it occurs in rugged and inaccessible mountains, this has allowed a large portion of its habitat to remain intact. However, there it is still affected by habitat loss through deforestation, mining, land conversion and slash-and-burn - just not to the same extent as lowland forest. [5]
This species is kept in captivity and bred for aviculture.[4]
References
edit- ^ BirdLife International (2020). "Erythrura coloria". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T22719716A179073563. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22719716A179073563.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "Red-eared Parrotfinch - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
- ^ Payne, Robert B. (2020). "Red-eared Parrotfinch (Erythrura coloria), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.reepar2.01species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ a b Payne, Robert B. (2020). "Red-eared Parrotfinch (Erythrura coloria), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.reepar2.01species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ IUCN (2020-07-10). Erythrura coloria: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22719716A179073563 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2020-3.rlts.t22719716a179073563.en.
External links
edit- Species factsheet - BirdLife International
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