Red-fronted Serins, Serinus pusillus: A small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It prefers high mountain regions.
Breeding / Distribution:
This bird breeds in the Caucasus and the higher mountains of Turkey and Iran, with vagrants occasionally reaching the Greek Eastern Aegean Islands in winter. Outside the breeding season, it occurs in small flocks, typically seen searching through thistle patches. It is a popular cagebird and escapes from captivity are occasionally found throughout Europe.
Further Finch Reading
- Finch Information
- Index of Finch Species
- Photos of the Different Finch Species for Identification
- Common Health Problems of Finches
- Finch / Canary Diet / Nutrition
Aviculture
The Red-fronted Serins bird will breed in captivity and thrives on a diet of canary grass seed, millet, and other small seeds. They bathe daily if water is accessible.
Description
The bird is 11 to 12 cm long and is variable in plumage, with adults resembling very dark redpolls. The foreparts are sooty and the forehead is red; juveniles have buff-brown heads.
Call / Vocalization
The call is a rapid, shrill “titihihihihihi”, resembling that of a Linnet.
