Tawny-breasted parrotfinch

The tawny-breasted parrotfinch (Erythrura hyperythra) is a species of estrildid finch found in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The tawny-breasted parrotfinch is found in and tropical montane moist forest. The IUCN has classified the species as being of least concern.

Tawny-breasted parrotfinch
at Cibodas Botanical Garden, West Java, Indonesia
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Estrildidae
Genus:	Erythrura
Species:	E. hyperythra
Binomial name
Erythrura hyperythra (Reichenbach, 1862)

Description and taxonomy

Ebird describes this species as " Despite its exquisite coloration, this tiny finch is reclusive, generally uncommon, and seldom observed. Note emerald-green back and orange extending from the face down to the upper belly. Sky-blue forehead patch is much larger and brighter in males than females. Found in highland forests and forest edge; often associated with bamboo thickets."^[2]

Subspecies

Five subspecies are recognised:

• E. h. hyperythra – Found in Java with unconfirmed reports on Bali;
• E. h. microrhyncha – Found in Sulawesi; paler and duller with less blue on the head and is smaller
• E. h. borneensis – Found in the mountains of the Malay Peninsula and Borneo; blue on the forehead more extensive and reaches to the hindcrown
• E. h. brunneiventris – Found in Luzon, Mindoro and Panay; shorter bill, hindcrown all the way to the rump and tail is bright green, underparts are also paler and flanks with blue tinges
• E. h. intermedia – Found in Lombok, Sumbawa and Flores; uppertail coverts are green with an orange wash

Ecology and behavior

This species feeds on the seeds of grasses, bamboo, sunflowers, pines. Also feeds on figs and small insects. Typically forages on the ground in the dense undergrowth or in bamboo bushes. Forages alone or in small groups and is especially drawn to bamboo. This species is often described as shy and difficult to see.

This species is known to breed in February to March in Java, May to June on Flores but otherwise not much is known about the breeding habits of this bird elsewhere. Nesis described as a grassy ball with an entrance on the side. Typically placed in ferms, orchids or moss. Lays 4 to 6 eggs with an incubation period of 14 days. Nestling period is 3 to 4 weeks.

Habitat and conservation status

Its natural habitat is typically tropical moist montane forests above 600 meters above sea level. This species prefers in areas in forest edge with a lot of bamboo. This species is known to venture out into the neighboring rice fields.

This species has been assessed as IUCN Red List as Least-concern species. Across most of its range, it is described rare in the Philippines, Bali, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo but is more common in Wallacea. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,000,000 - 10,000,000km². This species has a wide range and its preference for montane habitat means that a large area of habitat is more secure from deforestation due to inaccessibility. ^[3]