Carduelis
Encyclopedia
- "Chloris" redirects here. The name Chloris was also invalidly used for the bird genus ParulaParulaParula is a small genus of New World warblers which breed in North and South America.In 1758, Linnaeus classified the Northern Parula as a tit, Parus americanus, and as taxonomy developed the genus name was modified first to Parulus and then the current form...
.
The genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Carduelis
is a large group of bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s in the finch
Finch
The true finches are passerine birds in the family Fringillidae. They are predominantly seed-eating songbirds. Most are native to the Northern Hemisphere, but one subfamily is endemic to the Neotropics, one to the Hawaiian Islands, and one subfamily – monotypic at genus level – is found...
family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Fringillidae. It includes the greenfinch
Greenfinch
-Birds:* Black-headed Greenfinch * European Greenfinch * Oriental Greenfinch * Vietnam Greenfinch * Yellow-breasted Greenfinch -Other:...
es, redpoll
Redpoll
The Redpolls are a group of small passerine birds in the finch family Fringillidae which have characteristic red markings on their heads. They were formerly placed into the genus Acanthis together with the linnets and the twite, but their closest relatives are actually the crossbills, that are...
s, goldfinch
Goldfinch
Goldfinch may refer to any of the following species of bird from the genus Carduelis:* American Goldfinch, Carduelis tristis* European Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis* Lawrence's Goldfinch, Carduelis lawrencei...
es, linnet
Linnet
The Linnet is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.The Linnet derives its scientific name from its fondness for hemp and its English name from its liking for seeds of flax, from which linen is made.- Description :...
s, the twite
Twite
The Twite is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.The Twite is a small finch, similar in size and shape to a Linnet. Birds of the subspecies flavirostris are long, and those of the subspecies altaica are long. It lacks the red head patch and breast shown by the Linnet and the...
, and the non-African siskin
Siskin
-Birds:The name siskin when referring to a bird is derived from an adaptation of the German dialect words sisschen, zeischen, which are diminuative forms of Middle High German and Middle Low German words, which are themselves apparently of Slavic origin...
s. No species of this group ranges far into Africa (where they are replaced by the related genus Serinus
Serinus
The genus Serinus is a large genus of birds in the finch family Fringillidae found mostly in the Afrotropical region with some outlying species in Europe and Asia. The genus contains several species groups including canaries, seedeaters and the African siskins...
), and the centers of evolution were probably Eurasia
Eurasia
Eurasia is a continent or supercontinent comprising the traditional continents of Europe and Asia ; covering about 52,990,000 km2 or about 10.6% of the Earth's surface located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, with a secondary radiation in the Neotropics.
The interrelationship of these species is complex and contentious. It is fairly certain that the crossbills are actually derived from proto-redpoll ancestors quite recently, and it was suggested that they should be placed in the same genus, for which the name Loxia would then have priority. On the other hand, the greenfinches (which are apparently the most distinct group) and the redpolls have themselves been separated in distinct genera which might be the best way to express both the actual evolutionary relationships and the evolutionarily significant distinctiveness of the crossbills. The molecular data indicates that the major lineages split in the Late Miocene
Miocene
The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about . The Miocene was named by Sir Charles Lyell. Its name comes from the Greek words and and means "less recent" because it has 18% fewer modern sea invertebrates than the Pliocene. The Miocene follows the Oligocene...
(Tortonian
Tortonian
The Tortonian is in the geologic timescale an age or stage of the late Miocene that spans the time between 11.608 ± 0.005 Ma and 7.246 ± 0.005 Ma . It follows the Serravallian and is followed by the Messinian....
, roughly 9-7 mya), but it is unable to suggest any one robust arrangement either of the major groups among each other, among the lineages of Carduelis sensu stricto, or indeed among two separate Serinus
Serinus
The genus Serinus is a large genus of birds in the finch family Fringillidae found mostly in the Afrotropical region with some outlying species in Europe and Asia. The genus contains several species groups including canaries, seedeaters and the African siskins...
lineages (Ryan et al., 2004). As only the mitochondrial cytochrome b
Cytochrome b
Cytochrome b/b6 is the main subunit of transmembrane cytochrome bc1 and b6f complexes. In addition, it commonly refers to a region of mtDNA used for population genetics and phylogenetics.- Function :...
sequence
DNA sequence
The sequence or primary structure of a nucleic acid is the composition of atoms that make up the nucleic acid and the chemical bonds that bond those atoms. Because nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are unbranched polymers, this specification is equivalent to specifying the sequence of...
has hitherto been studied (Arnaiz-Villena et al., 1998), more data is clearly necessary.
Here, the species of Carduelis sensu lato are listed according to current knowledge. The genus Carduelis sensu stricto could conceivably be split further, and in this case only the European Goldfinch and the Citril and Corsican Finch (newly placed in this genus) would remain in Carduelis.
Greenfinches
(Sub)Genus Chloris- Black-headed GreenfinchBlack-headed GreenfinchThe Black-headed Greenfinch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam....
,
European Greenfinch
The European Greenfinch, or just Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris, is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. The genus Carduelis might be split up and in this case, the greenfinches would be separated in their old genus Chloris again.This bird is widespread throughout Europe, north...
,
Oriental Greenfinch
The Oriental Greenfinch or Grey-capped Greenfinch is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. If the genus Carduelis is split up, this species would go into Chloris with the other greenfinches and the Desert Finch.It nests in trees or bushes, laying 3-5 eggs.-References: Database...
,
Vietnam Greenfinch
The Vietnam Greenfinch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found only in Vietnam.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
,
Yellow-breasted Greenfinch
The Yellow-breasted Greenfinch is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and temperate shrubland.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
,
Desert Finch
The Desert Finch , sometimes called Lichtenstein's Desert Finch, is a large brown true finch found in southern Eurasia. Its taxonomy is confused, and it has formerly been placed in Fringilla, Bucanetes, Rhodospiza and Rhodopechys.It has an average wingspan of...
,
Redpolls
(Sub)Genus Acanthis- Arctic RedpollArctic RedpollThe Arctic Redpoll , known in North America as the Hoary Redpoll, is a bird species in the finch family Fringillidae. It breeds in tundra birch forest. It has two subspecies, C. h. hornemanni of Greenland and neighbouring parts of Canada, and C. h...
, or Hoary Redpoll, Carduelis hornemanni - Common RedpollCommon RedpollThe Common Redpoll is a species in the finch family. It breeds somewhat further south than the Arctic Redpoll, also in habitats with thickets or shrubs. Nominate C. f. flammea breeds across the northern parts of North America and Eurasia. There is also an Icelandic subspecies, Icelandic Redpoll...
, or Mealy Redpoll, Carduelis flammea - Lesser RedpollLesser RedpollThe Lesser Redpoll is a small passerine bird belonging to the genus Carduelis in the finch family, Fringillidae. It is the smallest, brownest and most streaked of the redpolls...
, Carduelis cabaret
Crossbills
(Sub)Genus LoxiaThe taxonomy of Loxia is complicated, and the (sub)genus may consist of as few as three species or possibly dozens. The species given below are only those at least provisionally accepted by most scientists.
- Parrot CrossbillParrot CrossbillThe Parrot Crossbill is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.This bird breeds in the pine forests of northwest Europe and into western Russia...
,
Scottish Crossbill
The Scottish Crossbill is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is endemic to the Caledonian Forests of Scotland, and is the only vertebrate unique to the United Kingdom...
,
Common Crossbill
The Common Crossbill is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It breeds in the spruce forests of North America, where it is known as Red Crossbill, as well as Europe and Asia; some populations breed in pine forests in certain areas of all three continents, and in North...
or
Two-barred Crossbill
The Two-barred Crossbill , known as the White-winged Crossbill in North America, is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae...
or
Hispaniolan Crossbill
The Hispaniolan Crossbill is a crossbill that is endemic to the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean and therefore only found in Haiti and the Dominican Republic....
,
Carduelis sensu stricto Carduelis group
- European GoldfinchEuropean GoldfinchThe European Goldfinch or Goldfinch is a small passerine bird in the finch family.-Habitat and range:The goldfinch breeds across Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia, in open, partially wooded lowlands. It is resident in the milder west of its range, but migrates from colder regions...
, Carduelis carduelis - Citril FinchCitril FinchThe Citril Finch is a small songbird, a member of the true finch family Fringillidae. For a long time, this cardueline finch was placed in the genus Serinus, but it is apparently very closely related to the European Goldfinch .This bird is a resident breeder in the mountains of southwestern Europe...
, Carduelis citrinella - formerly Serinus citrinellus - Corsican FinchCorsican FinchThe Corsican Finch is a bird in the finch family, Fringillidae.It was formerly regarded a subspecies of the Citril Finch, but it differs in morphology and vocalizations as well as mtDNA sequence and they are now considered distinct...
, Carduelis corsicana - formerly Serinus corsicanus
Linaria group - linnets and Twite
- Eurasian Linnet,
Warsangli Linnet
The Warsangli Linnet is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found only in Somalia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland....
,
Yemen Linnet
The Yemen Linnet is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...
,
Twite
The Twite is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.The Twite is a small finch, similar in size and shape to a Linnet. Birds of the subspecies flavirostris are long, and those of the subspecies altaica are long. It lacks the red head patch and breast shown by the Linnet and the...
,
Spinus group - American goldfinches and siskins
American goldfinches
- American GoldfinchAmerican GoldfinchThe American Goldfinch , also known as the Eastern Goldfinch and Wild Canary, is a small North American bird in the finch family...
, Carduelis tristis - Lesser GoldfinchLesser GoldfinchThe Lesser Goldfinch or Dark-backed Goldfinch is a very small songbird of the Americas. Together with its relatives the American Goldfinch and Lawrence's Goldfinch, it forms the American goldfinches clade in the genus Carduelis sensu stricto.The American goldfinches can be distinguished by the...
, Carduelis psaltria - Lawrence's GoldfinchLawrence's GoldfinchLawrence's Goldfinch, Carduelis lawrencei, is a small songbird of erratic distribution that breeds in California and Baja California and winters in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.-Description:...
, Carduelis lawrencei
Northern siskins
- Eurasian SiskinEurasian SiskinThe Eurasian Siskin is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is also called the European Siskin, Common Siskin or just Siskin. Other names include Black-headed Goldfinch, barley bird and aberdevine. It is very common throughout Europe and Asia...
, or Spruce Siskin, Carduelis spinus - Pine SiskinPine SiskinThe Pine Siskin is a North American bird in the finch family. It is a migratory bird with an extremely sporadic winter range.-Description:...
, Carduelis pinus - Black-capped SiskinBlack-capped SiskinThe Black-Capped Siskin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Guatemala and Mexico.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest.-References:...
, Carduelis atriceps - Antillean SiskinAntillean SiskinThe Antillean Siskin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family. It is found in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest. This bird is a North American one...
, Carduelis dominicensis
Neotropical siskins
- Andean SiskinAndean SiskinThe Andean Siskin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela....
, Carduelis spinescens - Black SiskinBlack SiskinThe Black Siskin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru....
, Carduelis atrata - Black-chinned SiskinBlack-chinned SiskinThe Black-chinned Siskin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Argentina, Chile and the Falkland Islands.Its natural habitats are temperate forests and heavily degraded former forest.-References:...
, Carduelis barbata - Black-headed SiskinBlack-headed SiskinThe Black-headed Siskin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua....
, Carduelis notata - Hooded SiskinHooded SiskinThe Hooded Siskin is a small passerine bird in the finch family , native to South America. It belongs to the putative clade of Neotropical siskins in the genus Carduelis sensu stricto....
, Carduelis magellanica- Santa Cruz Siskin, Carduelis (magellanica) santaecrucis
- Olivaceous SiskinOlivaceous SiskinThe Olivaceous Siskin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and heavily degraded former forest....
, Carduelis olivacea - Red SiskinRed SiskinThe Red Siskin, Carduelis cucullata, is a small passerine bird. This finch is a resident breeding bird in tropical South America in northern Colombia and northern Venezuela...
, Carduelis cucullata - Saffron SiskinSaffron SiskinThe Saffron Siskin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Ecuador and Peru.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and urban areas....
, Carduelis siemiradzkii - Thick-billed SiskinThick-billed SiskinThe Thick-billed Siskin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru....
, Carduelis crassirostris - Yellow-bellied SiskinYellow-bellied SiskinThe Yellow-bellied Siskin, Carduelis xanthogastra, is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It breeds from Costa Rica south to southern Ecuador, central Bolivia and the highlands of northwestern Venezuela....
, Carduelis xanthogastra - Yellow-faced SiskinYellow-faced SiskinThe Yellow-faced Siskin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Brazil and Venezuela....
, Carduelis yarrellii - Yellow-rumped SiskinYellow-rumped SiskinThe Yellow-Rumped Siskin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru....
, Carduelis uropygialis
Fossil species
- Trías Greenfinch, Carduelis triasi - HoloceneHoloceneThe Holocene is a geological epoch which began at the end of the Pleistocene and continues to the present. The Holocene is part of the Quaternary period. Its name comes from the Greek words and , meaning "entirely recent"...
of La PalmaLa PalmaLa Palma is the most north-westerly of the Canary Islands. La Palma has an area of 706 km2 making it the fifth largest of the seven main Canary Islands...
, Canary IslandsCanary IslandsThe Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
, SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... - Slender-billed Greenfinch, Carduelis aurelioi - Holocene of TenerifeTenerifeTenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
, Canary Islands, Spain
Possible Carduelis species
These species may be related to various groups or subgenera currently classified as members of Carduelis but have yet to be studied biochemically:- Mountain SerinMountain SerinThe Mountain Serin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Indonesia and the Philippines. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and subtropical or tropical high-altitude...
, Serinus estherae - (Relationships obscure). - Tibetan SerinTibetan SerinThe Tibetan Serin , sometimes considered a siskin of the genus Carduelis, is a true finch species .It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal. Its natural habitat is temperate forests....
, Serinus thibetanus - (Sometimes Tibetan Siskin, Carduelis thibetana is used as in Grimmett et al. 1999). - Ankober SerinAnkober SerinThe Ankober Serin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family. Recent studies places this bird in Carduelis, another genus of finches...
, Serinus ankoberensis - (Carduelis ankoberensis on the African Bird ClubAfrican Bird ClubThe African Bird Club is a United Kingdom registered ornithological charity established in 1992. Its area of interest covers continental Africa, Indian Ocean islands west of 80° East, , and Atlantic Ocean islands on or east of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge The African Bird Club (ABC) is a United Kingdom...
list). - the golden-winged grosbeakGolden-winged grosbeakThe genus Rhynchostruthus is a small group of finches in the family Fringillinae. Commonly known as golden-winged grosbeaks, they are attractive, chunky, medium-sized, robust-billed songbirds restricted to the southern Arabian and northern Somalian regions.These elusive birds are typically found...
s, Rhynchostruthus sp. - (Relationship with Carduelis discussed in Fry et al. 2004 and Martins 1987)
Recent taxonomical changes
On December 18, 2009, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in its authority as custodian of the Clement's Checklist, made the following statement: "In accord with NACC, here we split the genus Carduelis into four genera: Carduelis (linnets and twites), Spinus (siskins), Acanthis (redpolls), and Chloris (greenfinches). Similar revisions will need to be made with respect to Carpodacus and Serinus, but we defer making those changes until a later date.". This follows a similar change that was published in the 50th supplement to the AOU Checklist of American Birds, " The subgenera Acanthis and Spinus are elevated to genera, and the genus Chloris is split from the genus Carduelis."External links
- Carduelis videos, photos and sounds on the Internet Bird Collection