White-throated canary

The white-throated canary (Crithagra albogularis) is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae.

White-throated canary
C. a. crocopygia Damaraland, Namibia
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Fringillidae
Subfamily:	Carduelinae
Genus:	Crithagra
Species:	C. albogularis
Binomial name
Crithagra albogularis Smith, 1833
Synonyms
Serinus albogularis

Taxonomy

The white-throated canary was formerly placed in the genus Serinus but phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences found that the genus was polyphyletic.^[2] The genus was therefore split and a number of species including the white-throated canary were moved to the resurrected genus Crithagra.^[3][4]

Description

The white-throated canary is a small bird about 15 cm long with generally dull-coloured plumage and a yellow or yellow-green rump. It has a heavy horn-coloured beak and brown irises. Its legs are brown. The male and female have similar external appearances, and juveniles resemble adults.^[5]

Distribution and habitat

It is found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland.^[1]