Yellow-rumped Siskin (Spinus uropygialis)

Identification & Behavior: ~13.5 cm (5.3 in). The male Yellow-rumped Siskin has a black hood and bib, and blackish rest of the upperparts. The underparts are yellow with dusky on the sides of the belly and flanks. The rump is bright yellow. The tail feathers are mostly yellow with a black terminal band and a black central pair of feathers. The female is a dull version of the male. In both sexes, the wing is blackish with a broad yellow band along the middle. The bill is conical and pointy. It favors open habitats with scrub and also agricultural fields. It is distinguished from the Hooded Siskin by larger size, darker/blackish upperparts, no yellow on the sides of the neck, a black bib, and tail pattern.

Status: The Yellow-rumped Siskin is rare to uncommon in Andean scrub on the west slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 3200-4200 m. It also occurs in Bo and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Jilguero Cordillerano.

Sub-species: Yellow-rumped Siskin (Spinus uropygialis), P. L. Sclater, 1862.

Meaning of Name: Spinus: Gr. Spinos= unidentified bird mentioned in ancient Greek writing, usually treated as a type of finch. uropygialis: Med. L. uropygium=rump Gr. Ouropugion=bird’s rump.

Formerly known as Sporagra uropygialis (2018).

See more of the Family Fringillidae