The Azores chaffinch (Fringilla moreletti) is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.[1] It was a subspecies of the common chaffinch, but has now been elevated to species level.[2] It is endemic to the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, part of Macaronesia in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is locally known as the tentilhão or sachão.

Azores chaffinch
Male
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Subfamily: Fringillinae
Genus: Fringilla
Species:
F. moreletti
Binomial name
Fringilla moreletti
Pucheran, 1859

Description edit

The head and part of the dorsum are bluish gray, with the rest of the dorsal area being greenish; the wings and tail are black and white; the throat and chest are pink. The bill is lead-colored. The paws are pinkish brown. The plumage of the females is more discreet, dominating the brown tones.[3]

Distribution and habitat edit

The Azores chaffinch inhabits all of the Azorean Islands and is one the most common birds in the archipelago, It can be seen from sea-level to the mountainous interior, including the highest areas of Pico.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ "Fringilla coelebs moreletti Pucheran, 1859". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  2. ^ Clement, Peter; Kirwan, Guy M.; Hansasuta, Chuenchom (2023). "Azores Chaffinch (Fringilla moreletti), version 1.0". Birds of the World.
  3. ^ "Tentilhão". www.azores.gov.pt. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Tentilhão dos Açores". Aves dos Açores (in European Portuguese). 28 April 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2021.