Olivaceous Siskin Spinus olivaceus Scientific name definitions

The Olivaceous Siskin occurs over the east slope of the Andes, mostly at elevations between 1200 and 3000 m, from northern Ecuador south to northwest Bolivia. It is generally uncommon and local throughout this range, where it principally inhabits clearings with scattered trees and the edges of subtropical forest. This siskin’s plumage is very similar to that of the much more widespread, but generally allopatric Hooded Siskin (Carduelis magellanica), including the deeply contrasting black hood of males, although it is rather smaller, and this species’ yellow underparts are strongly olive-tinged.

10–11 cm. Small, greenish-yellow finch with fine, pointed bill, yellow wingbars and notched tail. Male has head to nape, throat and centre of upper breast black, bordered by bright yellow collar on side of neck; lower nape to back and scapulars olive-green, streaked blackish, rump and uppertail-coverts bright yellow; tail blackish-brown, broad deep yellow edges at bases of all outer feathers (forming prominent side panels); upperwing-coverts blackish-brown, edged and tipped greenish-olive on medians and broadly bright yellow on greater coverts; alula, primary coverts and flight-feathers black, basal half of primaries and bases of secondaries bright yellow (forming band across wing), tertials black, fringed and tipped bright yellow (buffish when worn); below , olive-yellow on side of breast and flanks, generally duller on lower breast and belly, with undertail-coverts bright saffron-yellow; iris black; bill greyish or greyish-horn; legs brown or flesh-brown. Differs from S. magellanicus in smaller size, blackish streaks on mantle and back, less well-defined collar on side of neck and duller underparts. Female lacks black on head , has head and upperparts dull greenish or olive-yellow, tinged green, except for yellow rump and greenish tips of uppertail-coverts; wings and tail as for male, but tips of upperwing-coverts and bases of flight-feathers slightly duller yellow; chin and throat washed olive-yellow, becoming bright yellow on underparts. Juvenile is like female, but head and upperparts duller or darker olive, streaked darker, rump and uppertail-coverts dull yellow or olive-green, tips of upperwing-coverts dull yellow or greenish-yellow, outer webs of tertials dull yellowish at tips, underparts as on female or washed with olive, broadly streaked brown on side of breast and flanks.

E slope of Andes from E & SE Ecuador S to Peru and WC Bolivia.

Mainly seeds, mostly of low-growing plants, together with bush and tree seeds. Forages in low plants and in shrubs, bushes and trees, often at canopy level, rarely away from forest or on ground. In pairs and small groups; in non-breeding season gathers in larger flocks. Active; flocks noisy and restless and continually on the move.

Undescribed; apparently very similar vocally to S. magellanicus.