Blue finch

The blue finch or yellow-billed blue finch (Rhopospina caerulescens) is a species of small bird. Although it was long classified in the bunting family Emberizidae,^[1][2] or the cardinal family Cardinalidae,^[3] more recent molecular studies have shown it fits comfortably in the Thraupini tribe within the family Thraupidae.^[4]

Blue finch
male at Serra da Canastra National Park, Minas Gerais state, Brazil
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Thraupidae
Genus:	Rhopospina
Species:	R. caerulescens
Binomial name
Rhopospina caerulescens (Wied-Neuwied, M, 1830)
Synonyms
Tanagra caerulescens (protonym) Passerina caerulescens Porphyrospiza caerulescens

It is found in Brazil and northeastern Bolivia, where its natural habitat is dry savanna. It is becoming rare due to habitat loss.^[1]