Alternative names: Green-faced Parrot-Finch; Green Parrotfinch; Manila Parrotfinch
- Erythrura viridifacies
Identification
12.5 cm.
- Almost entirely green plumage, paler on underparts
- Red rump, uppertail-coverts and elongated pointed central tail feathers
- Dark brownish-grey rest of tail with fringes of outer webs olive-green
- Buff undertail-coverts
Females are similar to males but paler, red parts duller, belly and undertail-coverts yellowish buff.
Juveniles are similar to females but still paler.
Distribution
Endemic to the Philippines (Luzon, Panay, Negros and Cebu).
A rare restricted-range species. Due to nomadic behaviour its status is difficult to assess but seems to be declining. Threatened by habitat destruction and degradation, formerly also by cagebird trade.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
May form a superspecies with Pin-tailed Parrotfinch.
Habitat
Found in montane forest and forest edge, in bamboo, grassland ans shrubs near forest. Usually above 1000 m, sometimes in lowlands. Often around flowering or seeding bamboos.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on seeds of bamboo, rice, canary grass, cauarinas and bamboo flowers.
Forages singly and in pairs in low bushes, on stems and on the ground.
Breeding
Breeding season probably from March to April. No nests recorded in the wild but nest in captivity had ball shape and was made from grass and fibres. Lays 3-4 eggs in captivity.
Movements
A resident and partly nomadic species. Appears suddenly in big numbers in areas when food resources are unavailable elsewhere.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved September 2014)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Green-faced Parrotfinch. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 15 June 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Green-faced_Parrotfinch