Cut-throat finch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cut-throat finch |
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| Male | |
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| Genus: |
Amadina
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| Species: |
fasciata
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The cut-throat finch (Amadina fasciata) is a small, colorful bird found across Africa. It's also known by other fun names like the bearded finch or ribbon finch. These birds are part of a group called estrildid finches, which are known for their beautiful songs and bright feathers.
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About the Cut-throat Finch
What's in a Name?
Scientists give every living thing a special two-part name. This helps everyone around the world know exactly which animal they are talking about. The cut-throat finch got its first scientific name, Loxia fasciata, in 1789 from a German naturalist named Johann Friedrich Gmelin.
Later, in 1827, an English naturalist named William Swainson placed it in a new group, or genus, called Amadina. This is why its full scientific name today is Amadina fasciata. The word fasciata means "banded," which makes sense when you see the bird's markings!
Where Do They Live?
Cut-throat finches live in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. You can find them in places like the Sahel region, which is a wide area south of the Sahara Desert. They also live in eastern and southern Africa.
These birds are quite common. They can be found in a huge area, covering about 3.3 million square kilometers!
Different Types of Cut-throat Finches
Just like there are different breeds of dogs, there are slightly different types of cut-throat finches. Scientists call these subspecies. There are four main subspecies:
- A. f. fasciata: Found from Mauritania and Senegal to Sudan and Uganda.
- A. f. alexanderi: Lives in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
- A. f. meridionalis: Found in southern Angola and northern Namibia to northern Mozambique.
- A. f. contigua: Lives in southern Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique, and northern South Africa.
What Do They Look Like?
The cut-throat finch has light, sandy-brown feathers with small black spots all over its body. It has a black-brown tail and a thick, white patch on its chin and cheeks. You might also notice a chestnut brown patch on its belly. Its legs are a pinkish color.
The most striking feature is on the male bird. Adult males have a bright red band across their throat. This is how they got the name "cut-throat"! Young male finches have a red band too, but it's usually not as bright.
How Do They Raise Their Young?
Cut-throat finches are clever when it comes to nests. They often use nests that other birds have already built!
When it's time to lay eggs, a female cut-throat finch usually lays 3 to 6 white eggs. These eggs hatch after about 12 to 13 days. Once the chicks hatch, they stay in the nest for about 21 to 27 days. Even after they leave the nest, their parents continue to feed them for about three more weeks. This helps the young birds learn how to find food on their own.
Gallery
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Pair
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Male
