Trumpeter finch  (Bucanetes githagineus)

IUCN Red List species status – Least Concern
Loading loading

Facts – Trumpeter finch

Synonyms: Rhodopechys githaginea
  
French: Bouvreuil à ailes roses
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyFringillidae
GenusBucanetes (1)
SizeLength: 12 cm (2)
Wingspan: 26 cm (2)
Weight22 g (2)

Status – Trumpeter finch

The trumpeter finch is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

Description – Trumpeter finch

The trumpeter finch (Bucanetes githagineus) is often a difficult species to spot as its greyish-brown plumage camouflages it perfectly against the stony deserts it inhabits (3) (4). The trumpeter finch is a short and stocky bird with a distinctive stubby bill, which is bright coral-red in breeding males and yellowish in females and juveniles. The breeding male also has a rosy pink tinge to the face, rump, wings, underparts and sides of the tail, and both sexes have darker primary and tail feathers, with pale edges. The juvenile trumpeter finch is similar in appearance to the female (4).

The trumpeter finch is named for its distinctive song, which is a nasal buzz that sounds similar to that of a toy trumpet (4).

Range – Trumpeter finch

The trumpeter finch is widespread across warm arid regions, occurring mainly in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Canary Islands (3). Since the 1970s, the trumpeter finch has also been observed breeding in south-eastern Spain (5) (6).

Habitat – Trumpeter finch

An inhabitant of arid open country (2), including deserts, the trumpeter finch often occurs near water sources (4). It nests in rocky crevices, stone walls, or on ledges on cliff faces (4) (7).

Biology – Trumpeter finch

Aided by its strong bill, the trumpeter finch feeds mainly on seeds (8), particularly those of oilseed rape (Brassica rapa) and canary grass (Phalaris canariensis) (9). It also feeds on low herbs, grasses and insects that are found when foraging in rocky areas. The trumpeter finch finds its food by flitting and jumping around on the ground, and will often dig fairly deep into the soil to find seeds (8).

The trumpeter finch constructs its nest in a rocky crevice or underneath a shrub, where it builds an untidy collection of roots, twigs, leaves, wool, grass, stalks and occasionally feathers. Trumpeter finches at the southern end of the range tend to lay their eggs earlier than their northern counterparts, in early March rather than late May (10). Temperature is a key factor in governing when this species breeds, with colder temperatures generally delaying breeding (11). The size of the clutch usually ranges from 4 to 6 eggs, which are incubated for 11 to 14 days (10).

Threats – Trumpeter finch

At present, there are no known major threats to the trumpeter finch, and this species is not considered to be threatened with extinction (12).

Conservation – Trumpeter finch

There are no known specific conservation measures currently in place for the trumpeter finch.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Find out more – Trumpeter finch

More information on the trumpeter finch:

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

This species information was authored as part of the ARKive and Universities Scheme.

Glossary

  • Herb: a small, non-woody, seed bearing plant in which all the aerial parts die back at the end of each growing season.
  • Incubated: kept warm so that development is possible.
  • Primary: primary feathers are the main flight feathers projecting along the outer edge of the wing.

References

  1. IUCN Red List (November, 2010)
    http://www.iucnredlist.org/
  2. Robinson, R.A. (2005) BirdFacts: Profiles of Birds Occurring in Britain and Ireland. BTO, Thetford. Available at:
    http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob16760.htm
  3. Cramp, S. and Perrins, C.M. (1994) The Birds of the Western Paleartic. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  4. Peterson, R.T., Mountfort, G. and Hollum, P.A.D. (1993) A Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York. 
  5. Carrillo, C.M., Barbosa, A., Valera, F., Barrientos, R., and Moreno, E. (2007) Northward expansion of a desert bird: effects of climate change? Ibis, 149: 166-169.
  6. Jonsson, L. (1982) Birds of the Mediterranean and Alps. Croom Helm, London.
  7. Barrientos, R., Valera, F., Barbosa, A., Carrillo, C.M. and Moreno, E. (2009) Plasticity of nest site selection in the trumpeter finch: a comparison between two different habitats. Acta Oecologic, 35: 499-506.
  8. Snow, D.W. and Perrins, C.M. (1998) The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise Edition. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  9. Carrillo, C.M., Barbosa, A., Valera, F. and Moreno, E. (2007) Seed selection by the trumpeter finch, Bucanetes githagineus. What currency does this arid-land species value? Annales Zoologici Fennici, 44: 377-386.
  10. Avibirds European Birdguide (November, 2010)
    http://www.avibirds.com/euhtml/Trumpeter_Finch.html
  11. Barrientos, R., Barbosa, A., Valera, F. and Moreno, E. (2007) Temperature but not rainfall influences timing of breeding in a desert bird, the trumpeter finch (Bucanetes githagineus). Journal of Ornithology, 148: 411-416.
  12. BirdLife International (November, 2010)
    http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=8847
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

What's new?

Hummingbird hawkmoth feeding on flowers

Great new footage of the hummingbird hawkmoth feeding. 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

Male trumpeter finch on rock
Male trumpeter finch on rock

© Horst Filitz / Juniors Bildarchiv

Juniors Bildarchiv
Hauptstr. 58
Ruhpolding
83324
Germany
Tel: +49 (8663) 883 484
Fax: +49 (8663) 883 486
info@juniors-tierbild.de
http://www.juniors-tierbild.de

Link to this photo

ARKive species - Trumpeter finch (Bucanetes githagineus) 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 private, scientific, conservation or educational purposes only. Portlets may NOT be used within Apps.

MyARKive

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