Finches (Fringillidae)

Yellow-breasted Greenfinch (Carduelis spinoides) - HBW 15, p. 544

French: Verdier de l'Himalaya German: Himalayagrünfink Spanish: Verderón del Himalaya
Other common names: Himalayan Greenfinch/Goldfinch

Taxonomy: Carduelis spinoides Vigors, 1831, Simla, north-western India.
Recent phylogenetic analysis indicates that this species is closest to C. chloris and C. sinica, probably forming a superspecies with them and with C. ambigua (and presumably including also C. monguilloti). All may be only distantly related to present congeners, suggesting that resurrection of genus Chloris appropriate; comprehensive review of all taxa in current genus required in order to determine true relationships. Has in the past been considered conspecific with C. monguilloti and/or C. ambigua. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution: