Corsican Finch

Carduelis corsicana - Venturon corse

Systematics

Order
:
Passeriformes
Family
:
Fringillidés
Genus
:
Carduelis
Species
:
corsicana

Descriptor

Koenig, AF, 1899

Biometrics

Size
: 11 cm
Wingspan
: -
Weight
: 11 à 12 g

Geographic range

Distribution

Identification

This species has long been considered a subspecies of the Mountain Finch (Carduelis citrinella). The two are very similar, but their distribution areas are completely separated. The Corsican Finch is bright yellow underneath (not yellowish green like the Mountain Finch) with a warm brown mantle striped in males (practically uniform in its congener). The female is paler, with thin streaks on the sides. In both sexes, the upper coverts are grayish (olive green for the v. montagnard).

Subspecific information monotypic species

Foreign names

Venturon corse,
Verderón corso,
milheirinha-da-córsega,
Korsenzeisig,
korzikai csicsörke,
Corsicaanse Citroensijs,
Venturone corso,
korsikansk siska,
Korsikairisk,
stehlík korzický,
zvonohlík korsický,
Brunrygget Citronsisken,
korsikanhemppo,
llucareta corsa,
osetnik korsykański,
Korsikas ģirlicis,
Корсиканский вьюрок,
コルシカヒワ,
科西嘉黄丝雀,
地中海絲雀,

Voice song and cries

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The flight call is a kind of small, sharp, trembling bell similar to that of the Corsican Finch. The song is a mixture of shrill and high-pitched cries, reminiscent of some cage canaries.

Habitat

In Corsica, the Corsican Finch can be observed in almost all habitats, from the coastal shrub to 2,250 m at Mont Cinto. It inhabits low shrubby areas, heaths, as well as forest edges, rocky areas dotted with bushes and wooded areas. Whilst avoiding agricultural areas, it can be found on the edges of villages, where gardens meet the bushes or the shrubland.

Behaviour character trait

The Corsican Finch species is considered to be sedentary, however, regular movements are observed between Corsica and Sardinia from April to May and in September. After the reproductive season, birds from the coast gradually move up in altitude according to food availability. Important flocks with several tens, or even hundreds of individuals can then be observed.

Flight

Like in all the finches, the flight is wavy.

Dietfeeding habits

In Corsica, the species is mainly granivorous and consumes the seeds of a multitude of herbaceous plants (clover, dock, etc.) and shrubs (heather, rosemary, etc.), even conifers.

Reproduction nesting

According to the altitude, reproduction begins in March and lasts until June. The nest (a cup made of fine grass, moss, fur and feathers) is generally placed less than 3 m high in an evergreen shrub (juniper, holm oak, broom, brambles, etc.). It can be built higher in large pine trees. The two annual clutches range from 2 to 5 eggs.

Geographic range

The Corsican Finch has a very limited distribution in some Mediterranean islands: Corsica, Sardinia, Gorgona, Capraia (not Capri as sometimes read) and Elba.