Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)
Wedge-tailed Grass-finch (Emberizoides herbicola) - HBW 16, p. 638
French: Grand Tardivole
German: Keilschwanzammer
Spanish: Coludo Colicuña
Other common names: Wedge-tailed Ground-finch, Azara’s Grass-finch
Taxonomy: Sylvia herbicola Vieillot, 1817, Paraguay.
Molecular data indicate that genus is sister to Embernagra, and both appear to belong in tanager family (Thraupidae). Sometimes treated as conspecific with E. ypiranganus; until recently considered conspecific with E. duidae. Races fall roughly into two groups, “sphenurus group” (sphenurus, hypochondriacus, lucaris and apurensis) N of R Amazon, and single-species “herbicola group” (nominate race) in S; groups differ in plumage and voice, and in playback experiments nominate does not react to songs from apurensis, sug.. View all taxonomy...
Taxonomy: Sylvia herbicola Vieillot, 1817, Paraguay.
Molecular data indicate that genus is sister to Embernagra, and both appear to belong in tanager family (Thraupidae). Sometimes treated as conspecific with E. ypiranganus; until recently considered conspecific with E. duidae. Races fall roughly into two groups, “sphenurus group” (sphenurus, hypochondriacus, lucaris and apurensis) N of R Amazon, and single-species “herbicola group” (nominate race) in S; groups differ in plumage and voice, and in playback experiments nominate does not react to songs from apurensis, suggesting that more than one species may be involved; geographical limits of some races require confirmation.Race lucaris may be similar enough to be subsumed into hypochondriacus; further study required. Proposed race floresae, described from Panama (Cerro Flores, in E Chiriquí), appears to be based on an immature specimen, and is treated as a synonym of hypochondriacus. Five subspecies recognized.
Molecular data indicate that genus is sister to Embernagra, and both appear to belong in tanager family (Thraupidae). Sometimes treated as conspecific with E. ypiranganus; until recently considered conspecific with E. duidae. Races fall roughly into two groups, “sphenurus group” (sphenurus, hypochondriacus, lucaris and apurensis) N of R Amazon, and single-species “herbicola group” (nominate race) in S; groups differ in plumage and voice, and in playback experiments nominate does not react to songs from apurensis, suggesting that more than one species may be involved; geographical limits of some races require confirmation.Race lucaris may be similar enough to be subsumed into hypochondriacus; further study required. Proposed race floresae, described from Panama (Cerro Flores, in E Chiriquí), appears to be based on an immature specimen, and is treated as a synonym of hypochondriacus. Five subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- lucaris Bangs, 1908 - SW Costa Rica (Térraba region).
- hypochondriacus Hellmayr, 1906 - W & C Panama.
- sphenurus (Vieillot, 1818) - locally in Colombia, S Ecuador and N Peru, and in Venezuela (except W lowlands and Cerro Duida), the Guianas, and NE Brazil (S to N Maranhão).
- lucaris Bangs, 1908 - SW Costa Rica (Térraba region).
- hypochondriacus Hellmayr, 1906 - W & C Panama.
- sphenurus (Vieillot, 1818) - locally in Colombia, S Ecuador and N Peru, and in Venezuela (except W lowlands and Cerro Duida), the Guianas, and NE Brazil (S to N Maranhão).
- apurensis Gilliard, 1940 - lowland W Venezuela (Guárico, Portuguesa, Barinas and Apure).
- herbicola (Vieillot, 1817) - E Bolivia (Beni, La Paz, Santa Cruz and Chuquisaca), C, E & S Brazil (Mato Grosso E to Pernambuco, S to Rio Grande do Sul), Paraguay, N Argentina (Formosa and Misiones S to Entre Ríos and N Santa Fe) and N Uruguay (Rivera).
- Least Concern Enlarge map
-
A bird preening in two different perches Locality Brasília National Park, Federal District, Brazil (ssp herbicola)
Josep del Hoyo 27 June 2007 5 years ago 50 sec 4.7 -
A bird in a small tree, calling and preening Locality Brasília National Park, Federal District, Brazil (ssp herbicola)
Josep del Hoyo 27 June 2007 5 years ago 25 sec 4.5 -
A bird in a small tree, defecating, rubbing the bill and preening Locality Brasília National Park, Federal District, Brazil (ssp herbicola)
Josep del Hoyo 27 June 2007 5 years ago 41 sec 4.4 -
A bird in a small tree, looking around and flying away Locality Brasília National Park, Federal District, Brazil (ssp herbicola)
Josep del Hoyo 27 June 2007 5 years ago 33 sec 4.2 -
A bird perched Locality Villa Guillermina, Santa Fe Province, Argentina
Martin Manassero 28 December 2011 1 week ago ADDED LAST MONTH 30 sec 4 -
A bird panting during the heat of the day. Locality Coesewijne Savanne, Para District, Suriname (ssp sphenurus)
Pieter de Groot Boersma 1 July 2011 1 year ago 15 sec 4 -
A bird perched and singing, in windy conditions Locality Gran Sabana, Bolívar State, Venezuela (ssp sphenurus)
DAVID ASCANIO 31 May 2007 5 years ago 16 sec 4 -
A bird in several perches, calling Locality Taubaté, São Paulo State, Brazil
Josep del Hoyo 29 January 2005 6 years ago 38 sec 4 -
A front view of a perched bird Locality Culebra, Cunucunuma River, Amazonas State, Venezuela (ssp sphenurus)
DAVID ASCANIO 30 September 2003 4 years ago 45 sec 3.9 -
A bird on the top of a bush, calling several times in response to another individual Locality Gran Sabana, Bolívar State, Venezuela (ssp sphenurus)
DAVID ASCANIO 31 May 2007 5 years ago 27 sec 3.9 -
A bird perched in tall grass, calling and then flying away. Locality Arrierito Antioqueño Natural Reserve, Anorí, Antioquía Department, Colombia (ssp sphenurus)
Keith Blomerley 5 November 2012 21 weeks ago 28 sec 3.8 -
A bird in a bush, calling. Locality Taubaté, São Paulo State, Brazil
Josep del Hoyo 29 January 2005 6 years ago 36 sec 3.7 -
A bird perched Locality Jaguariaíva, Paraná State, Brazil
Leonardo R. Deconto 19 August 2010 2 years ago 9 sec 3.7 -
A bird on the ground, shaking its plumage and flying to a perch. Locality Emas National Park, Goiás State, Brazil (ssp herbicola)
Josep del Hoyo 11 January 2005 5 years ago 39 sec 3.7 -
A bird singing in the grass Locality Culebra, Cunucunuma River, Amazonas State, Venezuela (ssp sphenurus)
DAVID ASCANIO 30 September 2003 4 years ago 6 sec 3.6 -
A bird perched and singing Locality Culebra, Cunucunuma River, Amazonas State, Venezuela (ssp sphenurus)
DAVID ASCANIO 30 September 2003 4 years ago 15 sec 3.6 -
A bird on tall grass, singing Locality Culebra, Cunucunuma River, Amazonas State, Venezuela (ssp sphenurus)
DAVID ASCANIO 30 September 2003 4 years ago 32 sec 3.6 -
An adult bird singing. Locality Santa Gertrudes, São Paulo State, Brazil
Carlos Gussoni 11 September 2011 1 year ago 21 sec 3.5 -
A dorsal view of a bird singing Locality Culebra, Cunucunuma River, Amazonas State, Venezuela (ssp sphenurus)
DAVID ASCANIO 30 September 2003 4 years ago 36 sec 3.4 -
A bird on top of a bush, singing. Locality Taubaté, São Paulo State, Brazil
Josep del Hoyo 29 January 2005 6 years ago 21 sec 3.4 -
A bird in a bush, eventually flying away. Locality Coesewijne Savanne, Para District, Suriname (ssp sphenurus)
Pieter de Groot Boersma 1 July 2011 1 year ago 23 sec 3 -
A bird on a pole. Locality Sooretama Biological Reserve, Espirito Santo State, Brazil
Yoel Jimenez 1 October 2005 3 years ago 5 sec 2.8 -
A bird perched on a treetop, then preening on another tree Locality Emas National Park, Goiás State, Brazil (ssp herbicola )
Josep del Hoyo 11 January 2005 5 years ago 33 sec 2.6 -
A bird on top of a tree, and flying away Locality Serra da Canastra, Minas Gerais State, Brazil (ssp herbicola)
Josep del Hoyo 27 June 2004 7 years ago 17 sec 2
Email this page