Black-masked finch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black-masked finch |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Black-masked finch at Serra da Canastra National Park, Minas Gerais State, Brazil | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Emberizoides melanotis (protonym) |
The black-masked finch (Coryphaspiza melanotis) is a small bird from South America. It belongs to the tanager family, called Thraupidae. This bird is the only member of its group, known as the genus Coryphaspiza.
You can find the black-masked finch in several countries. These include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru. It likes to live in places with lots of plants. These habitats can be moist shrublands or dry grasslands. Sometimes, it lives in grasslands that get wet or flooded during certain seasons. Sadly, this bird is facing a threat. Its home is disappearing because of habitat loss.
What's in a Name?
The black-masked finch got its official name in 1822. A Dutch scientist named Coenraad Jacob Temminck first described it. He gave it the name Emberizoides melanotis. Later, in 1840, another scientist named George Robert Gray placed it in its own group, Coryphaspiza.
The name Coryphaspiza comes from Ancient Greek words. Koruphē means "crown of the head," and spiza means "finch." So, it's like "finch with a crown." The second part of its name, melanotis, also comes from Ancient Greek. Melas means "black," and ōtis means "eared." This describes the black mask around its eyes, making it a "black-eared" finch.
Bird Family Tree
For a long time, scientists thought the black-masked finch was part of the bunting family. But in 2014, new studies looked closely at the birds' DNA. These studies showed that the black-masked finch is actually a member of the tanager family. This means it's related to many colorful birds found in the Americas.
Within the tanager family, the black-masked finch is grouped with other birds like Embernagra and Emberizoides.
Different Types of Black-Masked Finches
Scientists have found two slightly different types, or subspecies, of the black-masked finch:
- C. m. marajoara: This type was identified in 1967 by Helmut Sick. You can find it on Marajó Island, which is off the northeast coast of Brazil.
- C. m. melanotis: This is the original type described by Temminck in 1822. It lives in a wider area. This includes southeast Peru, eastern Bolivia, and parts of eastern and southeastern Brazil. You can also find it in Paraguay and northeast Argentina.
