Chloris ambigua
The Black-headed Greenfinch (Chloris ambigua) is a striking passerine bird of the Fringillidae family, characterized by the male's glossy black head, a feature unique among most greenfinch species in its range, starkly contrasting with its vibrant olive-green body. Measuring approximately 13-14 cm in length and weighing between 14-20 grams, this finch showcases brilliant yellow patches on its wings and tail, especially prominent in flight, and possesses a robust, conical bill ideal for seed c...
Found primarily in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, forest edges, high-altitude shrublands, and clearings, typically at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 meters.
Primarily granivorous, feeding on a wide variety of seeds from grasses, thistles, and other herbaceous plants, supplemented with buds, shoots, and occasionally small insects.
Black-headed Greenfinches are diurnal birds, often observed foraging in pairs or small family groups during the breeding season and forming larger, sometimes mixed-species, flocks outside this period. Their foraging strategy involves gleaning seeds, buds, and shoots from trees, shrubs, and ground...
The Black-headed Greenfinch is native to a broad swathe of montane Asia, spanning from the eastern Himalayas through parts of Southeast Asia and southern China. Its primary breeding and resident range includes Nepal, Bhutan, Northeast India (e.g., Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland), Myanmar, northern T...
Least Concern
- The Black-headed Greenfinch stands out among its genus with its distinct, glossy black head, which gives it its common name. - It is a true high-altitude specialist, commonly found at elevations over 1,500 meters in the Himalayas and Southeast Asian mountains. - Despite its relatively small siz...