Grassland Yellow Finch

The Grassland Yellow Finch, or Sicalis luteola, is a diminutive passerine, a member of the tanager family rather than true finches. This avian species is characterized by its vibrant plumage and petite stature, measuring approximately 12 cm in length and weighing around 13 grams.

Identification Tips

Males of the species boast a striking bright yellow on the underparts and rump, with olive yellow adorning their upperparts. Their crown and nape are marked by dark streaking, and a distinctive yellow encircles the eye. Females, on the other hand, present with dark-streaked pale brown upperparts and a more subdued yellow on the underparts. Observers should listen for the sharp "te-tsip" call and the male's song, a melodic composition of chips, buzzes, and trills.

Habitat

True to its name, the Grassland Yellow Finch is typically found in open grasslands and fields, where it can make the most of its ground-foraging habits.

Distribution

This bird is a resident in tropical South America, with its range extending from Colombia south and east to the Guianas, central Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. Populations that breed in the southern reaches of Argentina and Uruguay tend to migrate to Bolivia and southern Brazil during the austral winter. Notably, the species has also established isolated populations in Central America and Mexico and has been recorded in Trinidad since 2004 and Barbados since at least 1960.

Behaviour

The Grassland Yellow Finch is often observed in pairs or small groups. During the breeding season, females lay 3 brown-speckled pale blue-green eggs in a grassy cup nest situated in tall grass. It is not uncommon for several pairs to nest in proximity to each other when the habitat is suitable.

Song & Calls

The bird's vocalizations include a sharp "te-tsip" call. Males serenade potential mates with a song composed of a series of chips, buzzes, and trills, which they perform from a perch or during a display flight.

Diet and Feeding

Seeds and insects comprise the diet of the Grassland Yellow Finch. They forage primarily on the ground, often seen pecking at the earth in search of their next meal.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List currently classifies the Grassland Yellow 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.