Indonesian serin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indonesian serin |
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|---|---|
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chrysocorythus
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| Species: |
estherae
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| Synonyms | |
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Crithagra Estherae Finsch, 1902 |
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The Indonesian serin (Chrysocorythus estherae) is a small bird. It belongs to the finch family, called Fringillidae. You can find this bird living in Indonesia.
It likes to live in special places. These include moist montane forests (forests on mountains) and high-altitude grasslands. These are usually found in tropical or subtropical areas.
Contents
About the Indonesian Serin
The Indonesian serin is a type of bird known for its unique features. It was first described in 1902. This bird is quite small and is part of a large group of songbirds.
How Scientists Classify This Bird
For a long time, the Indonesian serin was placed in a bird group (called a genus) named Serinus. But scientists keep learning new things! They used a special test called "phylogenetic analysis." This test looks at the bird's mitochondrial DNA (a tiny part of its cells).
This DNA test showed that the Indonesian serin was not closely related to other Serinus birds. It was also not close to the Vietnamese greenfinch, which lives nearby. Instead, it was more like the European Goldfinch and the Citril Finch.
Because of these new discoveries, scientists decided to give the Indonesian serin its own special genus. This new genus is called Chrysocorythus. A German bird expert, Hans Edmund Wolters, first suggested this name in 1967.
Different Kinds of Serins
There is another bird called the Mindanao serin (C. mindanensis). It lives in Mindanao, an island. These two birds used to be considered the same species, called the mountain serin.
However, in 2021, the IOC decided they were different enough. So, they officially split them into two separate species.
The Indonesian serin itself has four different types, called subspecies. These are like different "races" within the same species. They might have slight differences in looks or where they live.
Subspecies of the Indonesian Serin
- Chrysocorythus estherae vanderbilti: This subspecies is found on the island of Sumatra.
- Chrysocorythus estherae orientalis: You can find this type in the Tengger mountain range in eastern Java.
- Chrysocorythus estherae renatae: This subspecies lives on Mount Rantekombola, which is on the island of Sulawesi.
