Order Passeriformes | Phylum Chordata Family Fringillidae Scientific name Serinus tristriatus Rank Species | |
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Genus CrithagraSwainson, 1827 Similar Ethiopian siskin, Principe seedeater, Northern grosbeak‑canary, Black‑eared seedeater, Black‑faced canary | ||
The brown-rumped seedeater (Crithagra tristriatus) is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family. It is found in the highlands of Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. It is widespread in towns, villages gardens, plantations and upland heath.
The brown-rumped seedeater was formerly placed in the genus Serinus but phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences found that the genus was polyphyletic. The genus was therefore split and a number of species including the brown-rumped seedeater were moved to the resurrected genus Crithagra.
Description
Length 13 cm. This is a drab uniform grey-brown canary with a small white supercilium. It has a plain (not streaked or spotted) breast with white under the chin. The uniformity of its drabness means its eponymous 'brown rump' is often not apparent.