Trumpeter finch

(Bucanetes githagineus)
Trumpeter finch
 Trumpeter finch description
The trumpeter finch (Bucanetes githagineus) is often a
difficult species to spot as its greyish-brown plumage Kingdom Animalia
camouflages it perfectly against the stony deserts it Phylum Chordata
inhabits (3) (4). The trumpeter finch is a short and stocky bird Class Aves
with a distinctive stubby bill, which is bright coral-red in Order Passeriformes
breeding males and yellowish in females and juveniles. The
breeding male also has a rosy pink tinge to the face, rump, Family Fringillidae
wings, underparts and sides of the tail, and both sexes have Genus Bucanetes (1)
darker primary and tail feathers, with pale edges. The juvenile
trumpeter finch is similar in appearance to the female (4).
The trumpeter finch is named for its distinctive song, which is
a nasal buzz that sounds similar to that of a toy trumpet (4).
SynonymsRhodopechys githaginea.FrenchBouvreuil ailes
roses.SizeLength: 12 cm (2)Wingspan: 26 cm (2)Weight22 g (2)
 Trumpeter finch biology
Aided by its strong bill, the trumpeter finch feeds mainly on seeds (8),
particularly those of oilseed rape (Brassica rapa) and canary
grass (Phalaris canariensis) (9). It also feeds on low herbs, grasses and
insects that are found when foraging in rocky areas. The trumpeter
finch finds its food by flitting and jumping around on the ground, and
will often dig fairly deep into the soil to find seeds (8).
The trumpeter finch constructs its nest in a rocky crevice or
underneath a shrub, where it builds an untidy collection of roots,
twigs, leaves, wool, grass, stalks and occasionally feathers. Trumpeter
finches at the southern end of the range tend to lay their eggs earlier
than their northern counterparts, in early March rather than late
May (10). Temperature is a key factor in governing when this species
breeds, with colder temperatures generally delaying breeding (11). The
size of the clutch usually ranges from 4 to 6 eggs, which
are incubated for 11 to 14 days (10).
 Trumpeter finch range
The trumpeter finch is widespread across warm
arid regions, occurring mainly in the Middle
East, North Africa, and the Canary Islands (3).
Since the 1970s, the trumpeter finch has also
been observed breeding in south-eastern
Spain (5) (6).
 Trumpeter finch habitat
An inhabitant of arid open country (2), including
deserts, the trumpeter finch often occurs near
water sources (4). It nests in rocky crevices, stone
walls, or on ledges on cliff faces (4) (7).
Trumpeter finch Male trumpeter finch at water

Trumpeter finch feeding

Male trumpeter finch, side view

Trumpeter finch pair at water

Male trumpeter finch Male trumpeter finch

 Trumpeter finch status
The trumpeter finch is classified as Least
Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).
 Trumpeter finch threats
At present, there are no known major threats to
the trumpeter finch, and this species is not
considered to be threatened with extinction (12).
 Trumpeter finch conservation
There are no known specific conservation
measures currently in place for the trumpeter
finch.
 Find out more
More information on the trumpeter finch:
BirdLife International - Trumpeter finch:
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsh
eet.php?id=8847
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 Glossary
Herb
A small, non-woody, seed bearing plant in which
all the aerial parts die back at the end of each
growing season.
Incubated
Kept warm so that development is
possible.PrimaryPrimary feathers are the main
flight feathers projecting along the outer edge of
the wing.
 References
IUCN Red List (November, 2010)
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Robinson, R.A. (2005) BirdFacts: Profiles of Birds Occurring in Britain and Ireland. BTO, Thetford. Available at:
http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob16760.htm
Cramp, S. and Perrins, C.M. (1994) The Birds of the Western Paleartic. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Peterson, R.T., Mountfort, G. and Hollum, P.A.D. (1993) A Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe. Houghton
Mifflin Company, New York.
Carrillo, C.M., Barbosa, A., Valera, F., Barrientos, R., and Moreno, E. (2007) Northward expansion of a desert bird:
effects of climate change? Ibis, 149: 166-169.
Jonsson, L. (1982) Birds of the Mediterranean and Alps. Croom Helm, London.
Barrientos, R., Valera, F., Barbosa, A., Carrillo, C.M. and Moreno, E. (2009) Plasticity of nest site selection in the
trumpeter finch: a comparison between two different habitats. Acta Oecologic, 35: 499-506.
Snow, D.W. and Perrins, C.M. (1998) The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise Edition. Oxford University Press,
Oxford.
Carrillo, C.M., Barbosa, A., Valera, F. and Moreno, E. (2007) Seed selection by the trumpeter finch, Bucanetes
githagineus. What currency does this arid-land species value? Annales Zoologici Fennici, 44: 377-386.
Avibirds European Birdguide (November, 2010)
http://www.avibirds.com/euhtml/Trumpeter_Finch.html
Barrientos, R., Barbosa, A., Valera, F. and Moreno, E. (2007) Temperature but not rainfall influences timing of
breeding in a desert bird, the trumpeter finch (Bucanetes githagineus). Journal of Ornithology, 148: 411-416.
BirdLife International (November, 2010)
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=8847