Inaccessible Island finch
| Inaccessible Island finch | |
|---|---|
| |
| On Inaccessible Island | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Thraupidae |
| Genus: | Nesospiza |
| Species: | N. acunhae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Nesospiza acunhae Cabanis, 1873
| |
| |
The Inaccessible Island finch (Nesospiza acunhae), also known as the Inaccessible bunting, is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae (formerly in Emberizidae).[2]
It is endemic to Inaccessible Island of the Tristan da Cunha archipelago where its natural habitats are temperate shrubland and subantarctic grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Taxonomy and systematics[]
The Inaccessible Island finch was previously considered two species, but the three subspecies are now grouped together.[2]
Subspecies[]
The subspecies of this species are:[2][3][4]
N. a. acunhae Cabanis, 1873. Found along the coastline, and has a small beak and drab olive-grey plumage, though the male is slightly brighter than the female.
N. a. dunnei Hagen, 1952. Found on the eastern edge of the island's plateau and the coastline, and has a large beak. It is larger than the other subspecies.
N. a. fraseri Ryan, 2008. Found on the Island's plateau at 300–600 meters (984–1969 feet), and has a small beak and bright yellow plumage. It has a large head long wings.
Description[]
It ranges from 17 to 21 centimeters (7 to 8 inches) in length and weighs 24 to 49 grams (0.8 to 1.7 ounces). All subspecies are some shade of olive-green. The call is a repeated series of three to four notes.[2]
Diet[]
The Inaccessible Island finch eats mainly seeds and insects. The plants consumed vary by subspecies. N. a. acunhae eats the seeds of Spartinia grasses, such as , as well as Carex. N. a. fraseri feeds on Nertera. N.a. dunnei feeds on Phylica. All subspecies use flies as their main source of prey.[4]
Reproduction[]
It breeds from November to February. They are usually monogamous, and partners remain together for successive breeding attempts. Females lay one or two eggs in a cup nest close to the ground.[2]
References[]
- BirdLife International 2004. Nesospiza acunhae. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded 26 July 2007.
- Specific
- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Nesospiza acunhae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22735943A95121524. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22735943A95121524.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Sinclair, Ian; Ryan, Peter (2009). Complete Photographic Guide Birds of Southern Africa. Struik Nature.
- ^ "Inaccessible Finch (Nesospiza acunhae)". www.hbw.com. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
- ^ a b "Inaccessible Island Finch". www.oiseaux-birds.com. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
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- IUCN Red List vulnerable species
- Nesospiza
- Birds described in 1873
- Thraupidae stubs
- British Atlantic territories stubs