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Serinus
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| Serinus | |
|---|---|
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| Male European serin (Serinus serinus) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Fringillidae |
| Subfamily: | Carduelinae |
| Genus: | Serinus Koch, 1816 |
| Type species | |
| Serinus hortulanus[1] Koch, 1816
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| Species | |
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See text. | |
Serinus is a genus of small birds in the finch family Fringillidae found in West Asia, Europe and Africa. The birds usually have some yellow in their plumage. The genus was introduced in 1816 by the German naturalist Carl Ludwig Koch.[2][3] Its name is Neo-Latin for "canary-yellow".[4]
Many species were at one time assigned to the genus but it became clear from phylogenetic studies of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences that the genus was polyphyletic.[5][6][7] This was confirmed by Dario Zuccon and coworkers in a comprehensive study of the finch family published in 2012. The authors suggested splitting the genus into two monophyletic groups, a proposal that was accepted by the International Ornithologists' Union. The genus Serinus was restricted to the European serin and seven other species while a larger clade from Africa and Arabia was assigned to the resurrected genus Crithagra.[8][9]
The genus contains eight species:[9]
| Image | Scientific name | Common name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Serinus pusillus | Red-fronted serin | Iran, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq and Palestine |
_010.jpg) |
Serinus serinus | European serin | southern and central Europe and North Africa |
.png) |
Serinus syriacus | Syrian serin | Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan and Saudi Arabia |
 |
Serinus canaria | Atlantic canary | the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira |
.jpg) |
Serinus canicollis | Cape canary | southern Africa |
.jpg) |
Serinus flavivertex | Yellow-crowned canary | eastern Africa |
 |
Serinus nigriceps | Ethiopian siskin | Ethiopia |
 |
Serinus alario | Black-headed canary | Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa |
References
[edit]- ^ "Fringillidae". aviansystematics.org. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
- ^ Koch, Carl Ludwig (1816). System der baierischen Zoologie, Volume 1 (in German). Nürnberg. p. 228.
- ^ Paynter, Raymond A. Jnr., ed. (1968). Check-list of birds of the world, Volume 14. Vol. 14. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 208.
- ^ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London, United Kingdom: Christopher Helm. p. 354. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
- ^ Arnaiz-Villena, A.; Alvarez-Tejado, M.; Ruiz-del-Valle, V.; García-de-la-Torre, C.; Varela, P.; Recio, M.; Ferre, S.; Martinez-Laso, J. (1999). "Rapid Radiation of Canaries (Genus Serinus)". Molecular Biology and Evolution. 16 (1): 2–11. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a026034.
- ^ Ryan, P.G.; Wright, D.; Oatley, G.; Wakeling, J.; Cohen, C.; Nowell, T.L.; Bowie, R.C.K.; Ward, V.; Crowe, T.M. (2004). "Systematics of Serinus canaries and the status of Cape and Yellow-crowned Canaries inferred from mtDNA and morphology". Ostrich. 75 (4): 288–294. Bibcode:2004Ostri..75..288R. doi:10.2989/00306520409485457. S2CID 84396955.
- ^ Nguembock, B.; Fjeldså, J.; Couloux, A.; Pasquet, E. (2009). "Molecular phylogeny of Carduelinae (Aves, Passeriformes, Fringillidae) proves polyphyletic origin of the genera Serinus and Carduelis and suggests redefined generic limits". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 51 (2): 169–181. Bibcode:2009MolPE..51..169N. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2008.10.022. PMID 19027082.
- ^ Zuccon, Dario; Prŷs-Jones, Robert; Rasmussen, Pamela C.; Ericson, Per G.P. (2012). "The phylogenetic relationships and generic limits of finches (Fringillidae)" (PDF). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 62 (2): 581–596. Bibcode:2012MolPE..62..581Z. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2011.10.002. PMID 22023825.
- ^ a b Gill, Frank; Donsker, David (eds.). "Finches, euphonias". World Bird List Version 5.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Serinus canaria.
- Serin videos, photos and sounds on the Internet Bird Collection
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| Other | |
Serinus
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Serinus is a genus of small passerine birds in the finch family Fringillidae, encompassing eight species that are primarily distributed across Europe, Africa, and western Asia. These compact finches typically measure 10–14 cm in length and weigh 8–14 g, featuring streaked plumage with yellow elements in many species, short conical bills adapted for seed-eating, and often notched or forked tails.[1][2]
The genus Serinus has undergone significant taxonomic revision in recent decades, with molecular and morphological studies leading to the separation of many Afrotropical species into the distinct genus Crithagra around 2010, reducing Serinus sensu stricto to its current composition of Palaearctic and select southern African taxa.[3] This split was supported by phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA, revealing divergences of 2.8–8.1% between included species and highlighting non-monophyly in the broader historical grouping.[3] The eight recognized species are the black-headed canary (S. alario), Atlantic canary (S. canaria), Cape canary (S. canicollis), yellow-crowned canary (S. flavivertex), Ethiopian siskin (S. nigriceps), fire-fronted serin (S. pusillus), European serin (S. serinus), and Syrian serin (S. syriacus).[1]
Notable among these is the Atlantic canary (S. canaria), native to the Macaronesian islands including the Canary Islands, Azores, and Madeira, where wild populations exhibit yellow-green plumage with brownish streaking; it is the ancestor of the widespread domestic canary, selectively bred for varied colors and songs since the 17th century.[4] The European serin (S. serinus) is the smallest European finch, breeding across much of Europe and western Asia with a population estimated at 41.9–63 million mature individuals, and it is partially migratory, wintering in the Mediterranean region.[2][5] Species like the Syrian serin (S. syriacus) and fire-fronted serin (S. pusillus) are more localized, inhabiting montane habitats in the Middle East and East Africa, respectively, and are adapted to alpine meadows and coniferous forests.[6][7] Overall, Serinus species occupy diverse habitats from woodlands and scrublands to high-altitude zones, with most being resident or short-distance migrants, and they play ecological roles as seed dispersers while facing threats from habitat loss in some regions.[8]
Taxonomy
Etymology
The genus Serinus was established in 1816 by the German naturalist Carl Ludwig Koch in his publication System der baierischen Zoologie, with the Atlantic canary (Serinus canaria) designated as the type species. This introduction marked a key step in classifying small finches resembling canaries within the Fringillidae family. The name Serinus originates from Neo-Latin, denoting "canary-yellow" and directly referencing the vibrant yellow plumage typical of many species in the genus, such as the European serin (S. serinus).[9] This descriptive nomenclature aligns with 19th-century ornithological practices, which often emphasized morphological traits like coloration to distinguish genera. The name Serinus derives from Latin serinus, referring to a type of finch or canary, and in Neo-Latin denoting "canary-yellow" to reflect the plumage coloration.[9] This etymological connection evokes the subtle yellowish hues observed in serin plumage, reinforcing the genus's thematic focus on canary-like birds. The domestic canary, selectively bred from S. canaria, exemplifies this coloration in aviculture.Taxonomic history
The genus Serinus was introduced in 1816 by the German naturalist Carl Ludwig Koch to classify small finches in the family Fringillidae, primarily those with yellowish plumage resembling the canary. By the late 19th century, the genus had been broadly defined to encompass a diverse array of over 40 small finch species from Europe, Africa, and western Asia, based largely on superficial morphological similarities rather than phylogenetic relationships. Phylogenetic analyses in the early 21st century began to reveal the polyphyletic nature of Serinus, with species falling into multiple distinct clades within the Carduelinae subfamily. A landmark study by Zuccon et al. (2012) utilized sequences from mitochondrial (ND2, cyt b) and nuclear (myoglobin, ODC, GAPDH) genes across 123 finch species to reconstruct the phylogeny, demonstrating that traditional Serinus included unrelated lineages; specifically, African and Arabian species formed a separate clade distant from the European S. serinus and S. canaria. This led to the taxonomic revision transferring 39 species to the resurrected genus Crithagra (originally described by Swainson in 1827), while retaining Serinus for the core group of eight closely related species. The International Ornithologists' Union (IOU) formally adopted this revised taxonomy in its 2012 world bird list update, limiting Serinus to S. serinus, S. canaria, S. syriacus, S. pusillus, S. nigriceps, S. alario, S. canicollis, and S. flavivertex. No significant alterations to these generic boundaries have occurred since, reflecting the robustness of the molecular evidence. The designation of S. canaria (the Atlantic canary) as a key species in the retained Serinus clade has bolstered nomenclatural stability, as it aligns with the genus's original intent and prevents further disruptions to established classifications.Description
Physical characteristics
Birds of the genus Serinus are small passerines in the finch family, typically measuring 10–13 cm in length and weighing 10–20 g in adulthood.[10][11] These dimensions vary slightly among species; for example, the Atlantic canary (S. canaria) ranges from 10–12 cm long and 10–25 g, while the European serin (S. serinus) measures 11–12 cm and weighs 10–15 g.[12][13] They possess a compact body form suited to their granivorous lifestyle, featuring short, stubby conical bills adapted for cracking seeds.[2][14] Wings are short and rounded, facilitating agile flight in dense vegetation or over short distances, while tails are slightly to moderately forked, aiding in maneuverability during foraging and brief migrations in migratory species like the European serin.[2][6] Skeletal and muscular adaptations include robust legs with strong, gripping toes typical of perching birds (Passeriformes), enabling secure attachment to branches and twigs during feeding and resting.[15] These features support a primarily arboreal and terrestrial lifestyle, with leg musculature providing the power for hopping and perching stability. Sexual size dimorphism is present in most species, with males generally slightly larger than females; for instance, in the European serin, adult males average 70 mm wing length compared to 68 mm in females, based on measurements from wild populations.[16]Plumage and sexual dimorphism
Species in the genus Serinus exhibit plumage dominated by yellow tones, frequently accented with streaks, green, or brown markings that provide adaptive camouflage in their habitats. For example, the European serin (Serinus serinus) displays bright yellow underparts and a conspicuous yellow rump, contrasted by dark streaks on the back and flanks.[17] Similarly, many African congeners, such as the yellow-crowned canary (S. flavivertex), feature olive-green upperparts with yellow crowns and underparts, often edged in brown.[18] Sexual dimorphism is pronounced in several Serinus species, with males generally possessing brighter, more vivid yellow plumage and distinct black accents to enhance visibility during courtship, while females are duller overall with heavier streaking for better concealment during nesting. In the European serin, males have a striking black crown, nape, and bib against vivid yellow body tones, whereas females show reduced yellow saturation and more extensive brown streaking across the head and body.[17][19] Among African species, such as the Ethiopian siskin (Serinus nigriceps), males exhibit a bold black head contrasting with yellow underparts, in contrast to the olive-toned, less contrasted plumage of females.[20] However, dimorphism varies across the genus, with the domesticated form of the Atlantic canary (S. canaria) showing minimal differences between sexes.[21] Juvenile plumage in Serinus closely resembles that of adult females, featuring subdued brown or greyish tones with soft-edged streaks and limited yellow, which aids in avoiding predation; fledglings of the European serin, for instance, are ochreous-brown (males) or greyish-brown (females) with diffuse markings.[22] These young birds undergo a post-juvenile molt, transitioning to adult coloration typically after their first breeding season.[23] Males often display seasonal variations in plumage intensity, with brighter yellow hues during the breeding period resulting from hormonal influences on carotenoid deposition in feathers.[24] In the European serin, this carotenoid-based ornamentation intensifies in spring, correlating with reproductive readiness, before fading slightly post-breeding.[25]Distribution and habitat
Geographic range
The genus Serinus comprises small passerine birds in the finch family Fringillidae, with a native distribution confined to the Old World, primarily Europe, North Africa, West Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. There are no native populations in the Americas, Australia, or eastern Asia beyond the Middle East.[26] Eurasian species, including the European serin (S. serinus) and fire-fronted serin (S. pusillus), center on the Mediterranean basin, with ranges extending from the Iberian Peninsula and southern France eastward through the Balkans, Anatolia, and into Central Asia as far as western China. The Syrian serin (S. syriacus) is more restricted, breeding in montane areas of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Israel. The European serin has undergone northward expansion in its breeding range since the mid-19th century, facilitated by climatic warming, and now breeds across much of central and northern Europe, including Germany and southern Scandinavia.[2][7][6][27] Island endemics are represented by the island canary (S. canaria), which occurs exclusively in Macaronesia off the northwest African coast, including the Canary Islands (Spain), Madeira (Portugal), and the Azores (Portugal).[4] In sub-Saharan Africa, the genus occupies a broad continental expanse, with species like the yellow-crowned canary (S. flavivertex) distributed patchily from Eritrea and Ethiopia southward through east-central Africa to northern Tanzania, Malawi, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Southern African representatives, such as the Cape canary (S. canicollis) and black-headed canary (S. alario), are concentrated in South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, eastern Zimbabwe, and adjacent Mozambique. The Ethiopian siskin (S. nigriceps) is narrowly endemic to the highlands of central and northern Ethiopia.[18][28][29][1] Introduced populations derive mainly from escaped domestic canaries, a domesticated form of S. canaria, with feral groups established in limited locales such as the Hawaiian Islands (Midway Atoll), Puerto Rico, and Bermuda; these do not represent expansions of the wild genus range.[30]Habitat preferences
Species of the genus Serinus predominantly favor open and semi-open ecosystems, including woodlands, scrublands, grasslands, and the edges of agricultural fields, while generally avoiding dense forest interiors.[5] These habitats provide suitable conditions for foraging and nesting, with scattered trees and shrubs offering perches and cover amid expansive grassy or herbaceous areas.[17] The genus exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level to over 3,000 meters in montane regions of Africa. For example, the Ethiopian siskin (Serinus nigriceps) occupies high-altitude subtropical and tropical grasslands and shrublands above 2,000 meters in the Ethiopian Highlands.[31][32] Similarly, species like the Cape canary (Serinus canicollis) are common in open habitats, extending to coastal scrubs.[33] Within these environments, Serinus species select microhabitats characterized by proximity to water sources, such as streams or wetlands, which support vegetation and prey availability. They also prefer areas with seed-rich understories and flowering plants that attract insects, enhancing resource diversity.[34] Many Serinus taxa demonstrate notable adaptability to human-altered landscapes, thriving in farmlands, plantations, gardens, and even urban parks, which has facilitated range expansions for several species amid ongoing habitat modification.[35][5] This tolerance is particularly pronounced in species like the European serin (Serinus serinus), which utilizes coniferous woodlands alongside anthropogenic settings.[2]Behavior and ecology
Diet and foraging
Species of the genus Serinus are primarily granivorous, relying on seeds as the core component of their diet, with plant material such as buds, shoots, and flowers also consumed. For instance, the European serin (Serinus serinus) specializes in high-protein seeds like those of Diplotaxis virgata, which comprise approximately 66% of adult diet volume during the breeding season, alongside contributions from Erodium spp. and Stellaria media.[36] Other species, such as the Syrian serin (Serinus syriacus), feed mainly on seeds from canary grass (Phalaris canariensis) and fruiting perennials like Erodium.[6] Seeds from grasses, weeds, birch, alder, and conifers form a substantial portion of intake across the genus, often exceeding 90% by volume even during breeding.[37][38] Foraging techniques in Serinus species typically involve ground gleaning from herbs and low vegetation, as well as probing twigs and branches with their conical bills to extract seeds and small items.[37] The European serin forages principally on the ground outside the breeding period but shifts to tree-foraging for buds and seeds during spring.[37] Small insects, such as aphids and moth larvae, are occasionally captured by adults through aerial hawking or gleaning from foliage, though their contribution remains minimal (less than 1% by volume); nestlings are fed mostly seeds.[2] These activities often occur in small flocks, enhancing efficiency in locating scattered food resources.[37] Dietary composition exhibits seasonal variation, but seeds remain dominant year-round, with high-protein seeds meeting reproductive demands during the breeding period and energy-rich seeds like birch providing sustenance in winter.[39][36] In the European serin, birch seeds are a key winter resource, providing essential fats and carbohydrates.[38] For migratory species like the European serin, the high-energy content of preferred seeds, such as those selected for their nutritional value over mere availability, supports the physiological demands of long-distance travel.[36] This granivorous focus, aided by bill adaptations for seed-cracking, underscores the genus's efficiency in exploiting abundant plant-based foods.[36]Reproduction and social behavior
Species of the genus Serinus are typically socially monogamous, with breeding pairs forming strong bonds that last through the reproductive season and often beyond.[40] These pairs defend territories against intruders, using vocalizations and displays to maintain exclusivity, though some species like the Syrian serin (S. syriacus) may nest semi-colonially with nests less than 10 m apart.[6] Clutch sizes generally range from 3 to 5 eggs, laid daily until complete, with an average of about 3 eggs observed in the European serin (S. serinus).[41] Incubation is performed solely by the female and lasts 12–14 days, during which the male provides food to the incubating partner.[42] Fledglings leave the nest approximately 2 weeks after hatching, dependent on parents for feeding for an additional period.[43] Nests are compact, cup-shaped structures built primarily by the female, often with male assistance in gathering materials, and placed in the forks of shrubs or low trees 1–5 meters above ground. Construction uses grasses, rootlets, moss, and lichens for the outer layer, lined with softer items such as feathers, hair, and fine plant fibers to provide insulation and comfort.[42] In species like the European serin, pairs may exhibit site fidelity, returning to the same nesting area in subsequent seasons if prior breeding success was high, which helps optimize resource use and reduce predation risk.[44] Courtship involves elaborate displays by males, including persistent song bouts from perches or in flight to attract females and signal territory ownership, often accompanied by aerial chases to pursue or deter rivals.[45] Male song not only stimulates female reproductive behaviors, such as nest building, but also reinforces pair bonds through mutual responses. Parental care is biparental, with both sexes feeding the nestlings high-protein seeds to meet heightened nutritional demands, though the female assumes primary responsibility for incubation and brooding.[45][36][43] Outside the breeding season, social structure shifts from territorial pairs to more gregarious formations. Post-breeding, families remain in small cohesive groups of parents and offspring, gradually joining larger winter flocks numbering 10–50 individuals, occasionally swelling to over 100 in resource-rich areas.[2] Males continue territorial singing during the breeding phase to ward off competitors, but flocking facilitates foraging efficiency and predator vigilance in non-breeding periods.[40]Species
Diversity and evolution
The genus Serinus comprises 8 extant species following the 2012 taxonomic revision, which redefined its boundaries to include a monophyletic clade of small finches primarily distributed across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. This revision emphasized the genus's relatively modest current diversity compared to its pre-revision scope, with many former members reallocated to other genera like Crithagra. High endemism characterizes several species, notably the Atlantic canary (Serinus canaria), which is restricted to the Macaronesian archipelagos of the Canary Islands, Azores, and Madeira.[46] The evolutionary origins of Serinus trace to the Miocene epoch, approximately 9 million years ago, with the ancestral lineage emerging in Africa and subsequently radiating into Eurasia.[47] This radiation involved rapid speciation, evidenced by low average nucleotide divergence of about 4% among species based on mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences, reflecting an accelerated diversification event within the Fringillidae family.[47] Adaptive radiation in Serinus is closely tied to specialized seed-eating habits and dispersal strategies suited to open, arid, and semi-arid habitats, enabling exploitation of fragmented landscapes across the Afrotropical and Palearctic regions.[47] Genetic analyses indicate low rates of inter-species hybridization in Serinus, supporting the maintenance of distinct lineages despite occasional captive breeding success between congeners.[48] However, clinal variation occurs in some continental populations, influenced by geographic isolation and environmental gradients.[49] Fossil evidence points to potential Miocene ancestors within the Fringillidae lineage that align with the early diversification of seed-dependent passerines.List of species
The genus Serinus currently includes eight recognized species following taxonomic revisions that transferred many African taxa to the genus Crithagra. These species are primarily distributed across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with most classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though one faces greater threats. The following table catalogs them, including scientific and common names, primary geographic ranges, IUCN status and population trends, brief morphological identifiers, and any notable conservation considerations.| Scientific Name | Common Name | Primary Distribution | IUCN Status (Trend) | Brief Identifier | Conservation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serinus alario | Black-headed Canary | Arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern South Africa and Namibia (resident) | Least Concern (Stable) | Males feature a striking black head and bib contrasting with white underparts and black-streaked flanks; females are duller brown with pale underparts. | No major threats identified; population stable without specific conservation measures required. [50] |
| Serinus canaria | Island Canary (or Atlantic Canary) | Macaronesia (Madeira, Canary Islands, Azores; resident), with introduced populations in Bermuda | Least Concern (Stable) | Bright yellow-green plumage overall, with a yellowish head and undertail; males more vividly colored than females. | No significant threats; occasional supplementation efforts in isolated populations, but no ongoing measures needed. [46] |
| Serinus canicollis | Cape Canary | Southern Africa, including South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, eastern Zimbabwe, and southern Mozambique (resident) | Least Concern (Stable) | Predominantly brown upperparts with yellow-green underparts and a pale yellow supercilium; lacks strong sexual dimorphism. | Population stable; no substantial threats or dedicated conservation actions in place. [33] |
| Serinus flavivertex | Yellow-crowned Canary | Eastern Africa from Eritrea and Ethiopia to northern Tanzania, Uganda, and DR Congo (resident) | Least Concern (Stable) | Olive-green upperparts with yellow crown and underparts, black wings with two yellow wingbars; females duller with more streaking. | No major threats identified; population stable without specific conservation measures required. [51] |
| Serinus nigriceps | Ethiopian Siskin | Highlands of Ethiopia (resident) | Least Concern (Stable) | Males have a glossy black head, nape, and bib contrasting with yellow-green body plumage; females show brownish head streaking. | No major threats; occurs in several Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, with stable population and no targeted conservation needed. [31] |
| Serinus pusillus | Fire-fronted Serin (or Red-fronted Serin) | High mountains from the eastern Mediterranean (Turkey, Cyprus) through Central Asia to the Himalayas and northern China (altitudinal migrant) | Least Concern (Unknown) | Bright red forehead and yellow-green body with black-streaked crown and wings; both sexes similar, though males brighter. | Local declines in parts of range due to illegal cagebird trade; listed under Bern Convention Appendix II, with recommendations for trapping monitoring. [52] |
| Serinus serinus | European Serin | Widespread across Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia, from Iberia to the Urals and Turkey (partial migrant) | Least Concern (Decreasing) | Yellowish-green with heavy black streaking on back and flanks; yellow face with dark stripes forming a "spectacle" pattern. | Decreasing in parts of Europe due to agricultural intensification; no specific measures needed overall, but monitored via breeding bird surveys and Bern Convention Appendix II. [5] |
| Serinus syriacus | Syrian Serin | Breeding in montane Lebanon, Syria, northern Israel (Mount Hermon), and Jordan; winters in Egypt and Palestine (full migrant) | Vulnerable (Decreasing) | Pale yellow overall with brown streaking on back and chest; white wingbars and pale supercilium; minimal sexual dimorphism. | Significant declines from habitat degradation, overgrazing, drought, and conflict; protected in some reserves, with calls for enhanced monitoring and surveys. [53] |