Red-crested finch

Coryphospingus cucullatus

Photo by Dario Sanches (Wikipedia)

Common name:
red-crested finch (en); tico-tico-rei (pt); araguira rougeâtre (fr); brasita de fuego(es); haubenkronfink (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Emberizidae

Range:
This South American species is found from northern Argentina north to central Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, also with isolated populations in northern Brazil and the Guyanas.

Size:
These birds are 13-14 cm long and weigh 14-22 g.

Habitat:
The red-crested finch is mostly found in dry tropical scrublands, also using tropical forests, second growths, pastures and arable land. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.600 m.

Diet:
They forage on the ground, taking seeds, fruits and invertebrates.

Breeding:
Red-crested finches breed in a shallow cup made of plant fibres and lined with animal hairs, placed in a fork 3-12 m above the ground. There the female lays 2-3 white to buff eggs with a few brown spots, which she incubates alone for 11-15 days. The chicks fledge 11-14 days after hatching, but are not yet able to fly. They continue to be fed by the male and only become independent 3-4 weeks later. Each pair can raise 2-3 clutches per year.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is species is described as common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats. In fact, they are known to adapt easily to degraded habitats.