Oct 23, 2018
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Olivaceous siskin - Spinus olivaceus
The olivaceous siskin is distributed over Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia in South America. These siskin species are typically found between 1,200 and 3,000 metres in eastern side of Andes. These siskins are monotypic species.
Appearance, physical description and identification
The olivaceous siskin (Spinus olivaceus) is a small siskin, measuring 10 to 11 cm.The olivaceous siskin has overall olive-green and yellow plumage. The males have black, nape, neck and throat. The rest of the body is yellowish green. There are black patches on the wing. The female lacks the black hood.
The dark gray bill is short and pointed. The irises are blackish. There is dark gray eye-ring. The legs and feet are short and gray. The siskin call is a loud, repeated "cheee.. chee.. chee" sound.
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| 1.Bird World - Olivaceous siskin - Spinus olivaceus Image by Francesco Veronesi |
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| 2.Bird World - Olivaceous siskin - Spinus olivaceus Image by Carduelis93 |
Origin, geographical range and distribution
The olivaceous siskin is distributed over Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia in South America. They typically occur between 1,200 and 3,000 metres in eastern side of Andes. The populations in higher altitudes descent to lower levels during winter.Ecosystem and habitat
The olivaceous siskin species have moderate forest dependence. They normally occur in altitudes between 1200 to 3000 meters. The artificial ecosystems and habitats include heavily degraded forests.The natural ecosystems and habitats of these species include tropical and subtropical moist montane forests and subtropical forest canopy.
Diet and feeding behavior
The diet of the olivaceous siskin species consists mainly of seeds. They forage for seeds in short plants, shrubs and bushes. They sometimes form feeding flocks.Reproduction and breeding habits
The breeding season of these species is not known. Their reproduction and breeding habits have not been recorded.Migration and movement patterns
The Spinus olivaceus species are non-migratory resident birds. The populations in higher altitudes descent to lower levels during winter.Post breeding, the juveniles may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. Within their range they may make local movements for feeding and breeding.
Olivaceous siskin - Quick Facts
- Scientific name: Spinus olivaceus
- Species author: Berlepsch & Stolzmann, 1894
- Synonyms/Protonym: Spinus olivaceus Berlepsch and Stolzmann, 1894
- Family: Fringillidae › Passeriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia,
- Vernacular names: English: Olivaceous siskin, Chinese: 绿金翅雀, French: Tarin olivâtre, German: Olivzeisig, Spanish: Jilguero oliváceo, Russian: Оливковый чиж, Japanese: オリーブヒワ
- Other names: Olivaceous Siskin
- Distribution: South America (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia)
- Diet and feeding habits: seeds
- IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
Conservation and survival
The global population size of the olivaceous siskin (Spinus olivaceus) has not been quantified. The overall population trend of the species is considered to be decreasing.In most of its range, this species is reported to be fairly common (Stotz et al. 1996). The generation length is 4.2 years. Its distribution size is about 913,000 sq.km.
Ecosystem degradation, ecosystem conversion, deforestation and capture for pet-trade are the main threats that may endanger the survival of the species.
IUCN and CITES status
The Spinus olivaceus species does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the siskin species and has listed it as of "Least Concern".
The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the olivaceous siskin (Spinus olivaceus).
| Taxonomy and scientific classification of Spinus olivaceus | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Fringillidae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Spinus |
| Species: | S. olivaceus |
| Binomial name: | Spinus olivaceus |
| IUCN status listing: |
 Least Concern |
1.Olivaceous siskin image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/francesco_veronesi/23039995005/ (cropped)
Image author: Francesco Veronesi | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 as on 10/23/18
2.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carduelis_olivacea.jpg (cropped)
Image author: Carduelis93 | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 as on 10/23/18
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