Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)
Grassland Yellow-finch (Sicalis luteola) - HBW 16, p. 637
French: Sicale des savanes
German: Kurzschnabel-Gilbammer
Spanish: Chirigüe Sabanero
Other common names: Striped/Yellow-breasted Yellow-finch, Yellow Grass-finch; Montane Yellow-finch (bogotensis); Misto/Southern Yellow-finch (luteiventris); Northern Yellow Finch (chrysops)
Taxonomy: Emberiza luteola Sparrman, 1789, no locality = Suriname.
Molecular-genetic data suggest that genus is most closely related to the “hooded” group of sierra-finches (Phrygilus atriceps, Phrygilus punensis, Phrygilus gayi and Phrygilus patagonicus); also, that it belongs within the tanager family (Thraupidae). This species previously considered conspecific with S. raimondii owing to similarities in plumage, but the two occur sympatrically in coastal S Peru and behave as good biological species. Has been suggested that races may constitute up to three separate species, nominate, flavissima and chapman.. View all taxonomy...
Taxonomy: Emberiza luteola Sparrman, 1789, no locality = Suriname.
Molecular-genetic data suggest that genus is most closely related to the “hooded” group of sierra-finches (Phrygilus atriceps, Phrygilus punensis, Phrygilus gayi and Phrygilus patagonicus); also, that it belongs within the tanager family (Thraupidae). This species previously considered conspecific with S. raimondii owing to similarities in plumage, but the two occur sympatrically in coastal S Peru and behave as good biological species. Has been suggested that races may constitute up to three separate species, nominate, flavissima and chapmani forming one species, chrysops, mexicana, eisenmanni and bogotensis another, and luteiventris a third; others suggest that only two main groups are involved, luteiventris being a separate species and all other races being conspecific. A detailed study of geographical plumage variation, vocalizations and genetics is needed. Eight subspecies currently recognized.
Molecular-genetic data suggest that genus is most closely related to the “hooded” group of sierra-finches (Phrygilus atriceps, Phrygilus punensis, Phrygilus gayi and Phrygilus patagonicus); also, that it belongs within the tanager family (Thraupidae). This species previously considered conspecific with S. raimondii owing to similarities in plumage, but the two occur sympatrically in coastal S Peru and behave as good biological species. Has been suggested that races may constitute up to three separate species, nominate, flavissima and chapmani forming one species, chrysops, mexicana, eisenmanni and bogotensis another, and luteiventris a third; others suggest that only two main groups are involved, luteiventris being a separate species and all other races being conspecific. A detailed study of geographical plumage variation, vocalizations and genetics is needed. Eight subspecies currently recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- mexicana Brodkorb, 1943 - C Mexico (Pacific slope in Puebla and Morelos).
- chrysops P. L. Sclater, 1862 - S Mexico (Caribbean slope in Veracruz and Chiapas), S Guatemala (Sacatepéquez), and Mosquitia region of E Honduras and NE Nicaragua.
- eisenmanni Wetmore, 1953 - NW Costa Rica (Guanacaste) and C Panama (Coclé).
- mexicana Brodkorb, 1943 - C Mexico (Pacific slope in Puebla and Morelos).
- chrysops P. L. Sclater, 1862 - S Mexico (Caribbean slope in Veracruz and Chiapas), S Guatemala (Sacatepéquez), and Mosquitia region of E Honduras and NE Nicaragua.
- eisenmanni Wetmore, 1953 - NW Costa Rica (Guanacaste) and C Panama (Coclé).
- luteola (Sparrman, 1789) - Colombia (lower elevations of W Andes, and valleys of R Cauca and R Magdalena), Venezuela (Falcón, Monagas and Bolívar), Guyana and adjacent N Brazil (R Branco region).
- bogotensis Chapman, 1924 - Andes of Venezuela and E range in Colombia S through highlands of Ecuador to S Peru (Arequipa).
- flavissima Todd, 1922 - Suriname S to mouth of R Amazon (Brazil).
- chapmani Ridgway, 1899 - lower R Amazon in Brazil (C Pará).
- luteiventris (Meyen, 1834) - breeds in S Brazil (Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul), Uruguay, lowlands of N & C Argentina (Santiago de Estero and Corrientes S to Chubut) and C Chile (S Coquimbo S to Valdivia); winters N to S Peru (Cuzco and Puno), C & E Bolivia (La Paz, Beni and lowland Santa Cruz), C Brazil (Mato Grosso E to Bahia).
- Least Concern Enlarge map
-
A male singing and calling many times Locality Boa Nova, Bahia State, Brazil (ssp luteiventris)
Josep del Hoyo 18 January 2005 5 years ago 32 sec 4.8 -
A perched male singing and flying away Locality Boa Nova, Bahia State, Brazil (ssp luteiventris)
Josep del Hoyo 18 January 2005 5 years ago 28 sec 4.8 -
A male moving from one perch to another and singing Locality Boa Nova, Bahia State, Brazil (ssp luteiventris)
Josep del Hoyo 18 January 2005 5 years ago 26 sec 4.7 -
A bird perched on a rush, calling Locality Pisco, Ica Department, Peru (ssp bogotensis)
Keith Blomerley 8 November 2004 7 years ago 16 sec 4.5 -
A male displaying to a female, repeated in slow motion. This behaviour reminds me of the display of the Bishops in Africa. Locality Paramaribo, Paramaribo District, Suriname (ssp luteola)
Pieter de Groot Boersma 15 May 2011 1 year ago 18 sec 4.3 -
Male Locality Rocha Lagoon, Rocha Department, Uruguay
Martin Manassero 20 January 2013 15 weeks ago 37 sec 4.2 -
A perched bird, calling Locality Aripo Livestock Station, Aripo Valley, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago (ssp luteola)
DAVID ASCANIO 28 February 2007 5 years ago 20 sec 3.8 -
Male adult plumage singing Locality Minas Gerais State, Brazil
josé de alencar bonafé 8 November 2005 3 years ago 30 sec 3.3 -
female in cover, calling Locality Laguna El Peral, Chile (ssp luteiventris)
Martin Kennewell 19 November 2011 1 year ago 10 sec 3 -
Three birds in the grass, one male flying away. Locality Paramaribo, Paramaribo District, Suriname (ssp luteola)
Pieter de Groot Boersma 15 May 2011 1 year ago 10 sec 3 -
front view of female perched in reeds, preening Locality Laguna El Peral, Chile (ssp luteiventris)
Martin Kennewell 19 November 2011 1 year ago 11 sec 2.7 -
Two females in the grass, calling and then flying away. Locality Paramaribo, Paramaribo District, Suriname (ssp luteola)
Pieter de Groot Boersma 15 May 2011 1 year ago 17 sec 2.7
Email this page