Arabian golden-winged grosbeak

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Arabian golden-winged grosbeak
Rhynchostruthus percivali from RhynchostruthusRiebeckiSmit.jpg

Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Subfamily: Carduelinae
Genus: Rhynchostruthus
Species:
R. percivali
Binomial name
Rhynchostruthus percivali
Synonyms

Rhynchostruthus socotranus percivali

The Arabian golden-winged grosbeak or Arabian grosbeak (Rhynchostruthus percivali) is a finch found in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen. It is included as a subspecies in R. socotranus by some authorities, but in recent times the three golden-winged grosbeak populations are usually considered distinct species.[2]

Description[]

The males are grey-brown overall with a black bill. The head is brown, with a dark grey mask and white cheeks, and it has large, bright yellow patches on the wings and tail. The females are similar to the males though somewhat duller, and the juveniles are rather streaky and lack the adults' distinctive head pattern.

Ecology and status[]

The Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak is typically found between 1,060 and 2,800 metres (3,480 and 9,190 ft) ASL in forested wadis and areas of scrub. Its range encompasses Dhofar in Oman, the Mahra of eastern Yemen, and the mountains of northern Yemen[3] to Saudi Arabia. It ranges as far north as near Ta'if, where one or two birds were seen on April 26–27, 1996.[4]

In southwestern Saudi Arabia it is resident in relict East African Juniper (Juniperus procera) forests. In Yemen it has been recorded in spurge (Euphorbia) scrub and woodland of acacias (Acacia) and junipers (Juniperus), while in the wooded Mahrah it is primarily found in Anogeissus/Commiphora woodland. The fruits of juniper, acacia and spurge species appear to form the bulk of its diet.

It appears to be present in low densities throughout its range. The population is estimated at around 9000 individuals, but it is becoming rare due to habitat destruction. Therefore, when it was first evaluated as a distinct species for the 2008 IUCN Red List, it was categorized as a Near Threatened species.[5]

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ BirdLife International 2017. Rhynchostruthus percivali (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22734767A111000693. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22734767A111000693.en. Downloaded on 21 August 2019.
  2. ^ Kirwan & Grieve (2007)
  3. ^ Martins (1987)
  4. ^ Davidson & Kirwan (1996)
  5. ^ BLI (2008a,b)

References[]

  • BirdLife International (BLI) (2008a) Arabian Grosbeak Species Factsheet. Retrieved 2008-MAY-27.
  • BirdLife International (BLI) (2008b): 2008 IUCN Redlist status changes. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
  • Clements, James F. (2000): Birds of the World: A Checklist (5th edition). Ibis Publishing Co., Vista, California. ISBN 0-934797-16-1
  • Davidson, P. & Kirwan, G.M. (1996). "Around the Region". Sandgrouse. 18 (2): 76–80.
  • Kirwan, G.M. & Grieve, A. (2007): Studies of Socotran birds II. One, two or three species: towards a rational taxonomy for the Golden-winged Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus socotranus. Bulletin of the African Bird Club 14(2): 159–169.
  • Martins, R.P. (1987): The Golden-winged Grosbeak in North Yemen. Sandgrouse 9: 106–110.
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