About the Saffron Finch
The saffron finch is a tanager from South America that is common in open and semi-open areas in lowlands outside the Amazon Basin. They have a wide distribution in Colombia, northern Venezuela, western Ecuador, western Peru, eastern and southern Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina, and Trinidad and Tobago. It has also been introduced to Hawaii, Panama, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and elsewhere. Although commonly regarded as a canary, it is not related to the Atlantic canary. Formerly, it was placed in the Emberizidae but it is close to the seedeaters.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The male is bright yellow with an orange crown which distinguishes it from most other yellow finches (the exception being the orange-fronted yellow finch). The females are more difficult to identify and are usually just a slightly duller version of the male, but in the southern subspecies S. f. pelzelni they are olive-brown with heavy dark streaks.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Saffron Finch sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Taiwan, Canada, French Guiana.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Grassland Yellow FinchSicalis luteolaThe grassland yellow finch is a small passerine bird.
Greenish Yellow FinchSicalis olivascensThe greenish yellow finch is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae.
Greater Yellow FinchSicalis auriventrisThe greater yellow finch is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae.
Side by side: Bananaquit vs Saffron Finch
Learn the Saffron Finch for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.