Grassland yellow finch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grassland yellow finch |
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Sicalis luteiventris |
The grassland yellow finch (Sicalis luteola) is a small passerine bird. Passerine birds are also known as "songbirds." Even though its name has "finch" in it, this bird is actually a seedeater. Seedeaters are birds that mostly eat seeds.
Scientists used to group these birds with buntings and American sparrows. But now, they know that grassland yellow finches are actually a type of tanager.
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About the Grassland Yellow Finch
The grassland yellow finch is a small bird. It is about 12 centimeters (about 4.7 inches) long. It weighs around 13 grams (about 0.46 ounces).
What They Look Like
Male grassland yellow finches are very colorful. They have bright yellow feathers on their belly and bottom. Their upper parts are a yellow-green color. They also have dark stripes on their head and neck. There is a ring of yellow around their eyes.
Female grassland yellow finches look a bit different. Their upper parts are light brown with dark stripes. Their belly feathers are a duller yellow.
Sounds They Make
The grassland yellow finch has a sharp call that sounds like te-tsip. The male bird also sings a special song. He sings from a high spot or while flying in a special way. His song is a mix of chirps, buzzing sounds, and trills.
Where They Live
The grassland yellow finch lives in warm, tropical parts of South America. You can find them from Colombia all the way south and east to places like the Guianas, central Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil.
Some of these birds live in Argentina and Uruguay. These birds are migratory. This means they travel to different places during certain seasons. They fly north to Bolivia and southern Brazil during the southern winter.
You can also find small groups of these birds in Central America and Mexico. In 2004, they were even seen on the island of Trinidad. They likely flew there from nearby Venezuela. They have also been seen on Barbados since at least 1960.
Life Cycle and Habits
As their name suggests, grassland yellow finches love open fields. They also live in other grassy areas.
Nesting and Eggs
Female grassland yellow finches build a cup-shaped nest. They make it out of grass, usually hidden in tall grasses. The female lays about three eggs. These eggs are pale blue-green with brown speckles. Sometimes, many pairs of these birds will build their nests close to each other.
What They Eat
Grassland yellow finches mostly eat seeds. They also enjoy eating insects. You will usually see these birds in pairs or in small groups.
