Corsican Finch

The Corsican finch, known scientifically as Carduelis corsicana, is a small passerine bird belonging to the true finch family, Fringillidae. It is closely related to the citril finch but can be distinguished by its more vibrant yellow underparts and dark-streaked brown upperparts.

Identification Tips

When observing the Corsican finch, look for its bright yellow underparts, which contrast with the darker, streaked brown of its upperparts. This coloration is more pronounced than that of its relative, the citril finch.

Habitat and Distribution

This bird is endemic to the Mediterranean, favoring the islands of Corsica, Sardinia, Elba, Capraia, and Gorgona.

Song & Calls

The Corsican finch has its own unique vocalizations, which differ from those of the citril finch. These distinct sounds are one of the characteristics that have led to its recognition as a separate species.

Similar Species

The Corsican finch was once considered a subspecies of the citril finch but has since been recognized as a distinct species due to differences in morphology, vocalizations, and mitochondrial DNA sequences.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Corsican finch as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a higher level of concern.