Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Stripe-tailed Yellow-finch (Sicalis citrina) - HBW 16, p. 631

French: Sicale citrin German: Zitronengilbammer Spanish: Chirigüe Citrino

Taxonomy: Sycalis citrina Pelzeln, 1870, Jaguaraíba, Paraná, Brazil.
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). Races poorly differentiated, and species perhaps better treated as monotypic. Three subspecies currently recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

browni Bangs, 1898 - W & N Colombia (Santa Marta, Antioquia, Cauca, Santander, Norte de Santander and Cundinamarca), Venezuela (Sierra de Perijá, coastal mountains, Trujillo, Mt Duida and tepuis of Bolívar and Amazonas) and adjacent tepui region of Guyana, Suriname and N Brazil (locally E to Amapá).
occidentalis Carriker, 1932 - SE Peru (Puno) and NW Argentina (Salta, Tucumán and E La Rioja).
citrina Pelzeln, 1870 - E Brazil (S Pará, Goiás and Piauí S to E Mato Grosso and Paraná).