Black-throated Canary

The black-throated canary, also known as the black-throated seedeater, is a charming species of finch belonging to the family Fringillidae. It is a small bird with a distinctive black throat that contrasts with its otherwise yellow and greenish plumage.

Identification Tips

When trying to identify the black-throated canary, look for its notable black throat patch which is a key distinguishing feature. The bird's upper parts are generally greenish while the underparts, apart from the black throat, are yellow. The sexes are similar in appearance, making them somewhat challenging to differentiate in the field.

Habitat

This species thrives in a variety of environments including subtropical or tropical dry forests, dry savannas, and subtropical or tropical dry shrublands. It is well-adapted to arid conditions and can often be found in regions with sparse vegetation.

Distribution

The black-throated canary has a broad range across the African continent. It is frequently observed in countries such as Angola, Botswana, Burundi, both the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Behaviour

Observations of the black-throated canary's behaviour indicate that it is a gregarious bird, often seen in flocks. It is also known to be quite active, flitting about in search of food and interacting with its conspecifics.

Diet and Feeding

As its alternative name, the black-throated seedeater, suggests, this bird's diet primarily consists of seeds. It forages for these on the ground or in low vegetation.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the black-throated canary as Least Concern, indicating that currently, there are no significant threats to its population levels.