Scrub euphonia

The scrub euphonia (Euphonia affinis) is a species of bird in the family Fringillidae.

Scrub euphonia
Euphonia affinis godmani
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Subfamily: Euphoniinae
Genus: Euphonia
Species:
E. affinis
Binomial name
Euphonia affinis
(Lesson, 1842)

Taxonomy

Euphonia affinis is divided into several subspecies. The subspecies E. a. godmani of the Pacific coast of central Mexico is sometimes considered to be a full species, Godman's euphonia (Euphonia godmani).[2]

Description

Both sexes have a thin, fine bill, smaller than that of other euphonias. Legs and eyes are dark. The male is bright yellow below and black above, with a small yellow spot on the forecrown. The crissum is white. Females have a grey head, dusky olive upperparts, buff-grey underparts, and white belly and crissum.[3]

Breeding

Its nest is a globular structure with a side entrance, placed in tangles of vegetation or another protected place. The eggs number 2-5 and are whitish with brown speckles.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The scrub euphonia ranges on both coasts of Mexico, south from the states Sonora and Nuevo Leon, as well as much of the country east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, including the Yucatan Peninsula. It is found throughout Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua and along the Atlantic coastal lowlands in Costa Rica.[5] It can be found in areas of secondary growth, stands of trees, agricultural areas and gardens and other human-disturbed areas.

Behaviour

The scrub euphonia is frequently found in association with yellow-throated euphonias, as well as in mixed species feeding flocks. It consumes much fruit, being particularly attracted by mistletoe berries.

Vocalizations

This is a vocal species. Its calls include a bright dwee dwee dwee, a plaintive syeeu syeeu and a twittering flight call, slip slip. Their songs are variable, including si chi-chi-chi-si and a liquid, twittering warble.[6]

Threats

This bird is widespread and evaluated as "least concern" by the IUCN. It can adapt to human-altered environments and is a common bird throughout its large range.

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Euphonia affinis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Edwards, Ernest Preston The Birds of Mexico and Adjacent Areas, University of Texas Press: Austin. 1998, pl. 166
  3. Howell, Steve and Sophie Webb, A Guide to the Birds of Mexico & Northern Central America, Oxford University Press: Oxford. 1995, p. 56
  4. Howell, Steve and Sophie Webb, A Guide to the Birds of Mexico & Northern Central America, Oxford University Press: Oxford. 1995, p. 666
  5. van Perlo, Ber, Birds of Mexico & Central America, Princeton University Press: Princeton. 2006, p. 297
  6. Howell, Steve and Sophie Webb,A Guide to the Birds of Mexico & Northern Central America, Oxford University Press: Oxford. 1995, p. 666
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