Socotra Golden-winged Grosbeak

Rhynchostruthus socotranus

Least ConcernLegendaryEndemicOmnivoreWoodlandSmall · 28 g

About the Socotra Golden-winged Grosbeak

The Socotra golden-winged grosbeak or Socotra grosbeak is a finch endemic to Socotra, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Yemen. R. socotranus is by some authorities held to be the only species of the then-monotypic genus Rhynchostruthus, including all other golden-winged grosbeaks therein as subspecies. But in recent times the three populations are usually considered a distinct species, with R. socotranus being limited to the Socotra population, the Arabian golden-winged grosbeak becoming R. percivali, and the Somali golden-winged grosbeak R. louisae.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The males are grey-brown overall with a black bill, a dark head with a black mask, large white cheek patches, and large, bright yellow patches on the wings and tail. The females are similar to the males though somewhat duller, and the juveniles are rather streaky and lack the adults' distinctive head pattern.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

Peak activity in October · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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