Green-faced parrotfinch  (Erythrura viridifacies)

IUCN Red List species status – Vulnerable
Loading loading

Facts – Green-faced parrotfinch

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyEstrildidae
GenusErythrura (1)
SizeLength: 12 - 13 cm (2)

Status – Green-faced parrotfinch

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1).

Description – Green-faced parrotfinch

This tiny and rare bird is found only in the Philippines. Its plumage is mostly green except for its distinctive long, pointed, red tail and the darker edges to the wing feathers (2) (3). It has a black bill, dark brown eyes and pinkish legs (3). Females possess a slightly shorter tail than the males, and immature green-faced parrotfinches are generally paler (3). The song of the green-faced parrotfinch is seldom heard, but its contact call is a short, high-pitched tsit tsit (2) (3).

Range – Green-faced parrotfinch

Endemic to the Philippines, where it is primarily known from the island of Luzon, but it has also recently been recorded on Negros and Panay (4).

Habitat – Green-faced parrotfinch

The green-faced parrotfinch inhabits forest, particularly forest with climbing bamboo (5), and grasslands adjacent to forest (3). It usually occurs above elevations of 1,000 meters, but can be found in lowlands (3).

Biology – Green-faced parrotfinch

The little-known green-faced parrotfinch feeds primarily on seeds, particularly those of bamboo (4) (5). It is thought that the breeding season in this bird may extend from March to April, when an average of three eggs are laid and incubated for 14 days (4).

Threats – Green-faced parrotfinch

Its restricted distribution and specific diet makes the green-faced parrotfinch particularly vulnerable to any habitat destruction. A little human disturbance of the forest appears to benefit the green-faced parrotfinch as it results in greater numbers and varieties of bamboo (4). However, complete clearance of the land is not compatible with the requirements, and thus survival, of this species (4). Another potential threat arises from capture for the live bird trade (4); in 1935 large numbers of the green-faced parrotfinch were captured on Luzon, and hundreds were exported to the USA (2).

Conservation – Green-faced parrotfinch

The green-faced parrotfinch has been recorded from two protected areas, the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and Bataan Natural Park/Subic Bay (4), which may offer some degree of protection. Further research is required to fully understand this species ecology, requirements and current status, which would inform actions required to ensure its survival (4).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Find out more – Green-faced parrotfinch

For further information on the green-faced parrotfinch see:

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

Glossary

  • Endemic: a species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.

References

  1. IUCN Red List (September, 2007)
    http://www.iucnredlist.org
  2. BirdLife International (September, 2007)
    http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=8685&m=0
  3. Kennedy, R.S., Gonzales, P.C., Dickinson, E.C., Miranda Jr, H.C. and Fisher, T.H. (2000) A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  4. BirdLife International. (2001) Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK.
  5. Allen, D. (1999) Green-faced parrotfinch Erythrura viridifacies in northern Luzon, Philippines. Forktail, 15: 103 - .
More

Related species

More

Related species by status

No related species found
More

Related species by group

Loading...
More

Related species by geography

More

Related species by habitat

Green-faced parrotfinch in hand Green-faced parrotfinch in hand

 
Photos 3

What's new?

Malabar spiny dormouse on a branch

New profile for the Vulnerable Malabar spiny dormouse. More

Latest from the ARKive blogsubscribe to posts

Loading...
ARKive.org is the place for films, photos and facts about endangered species. Subscribe to our blog today to keep up to date!

To see the latest posts from ARKive please visit http://blog.arkive.org or enable javascript.

Image credit

Green-faced parrotfinch in hand
Green-faced parrotfinch in hand

© Jon Hornbuckle

Jon Hornbuckle
jonhornbuckle@yahoo.com

Link to this photo

ARKive species - Green-faced parrotfinch (Erythrura viridifacies) Embed this ARKive thumbnail link by copying and pasting the code below.

Terms of Use - The displayed thumbnail may be used as a link from your website to ARKive's online content for not-for-profit private, scientific, conservation or educational purposes only. Portlets may NOT be used within Apps.

MyARKive

Green-faced parrotfinch in hand

MyARKive offers the scrapbook feature to signed-up members, allowing you to organize your favourite ARKive images and videos and share them with friends.