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To the Beauty of Birds

The Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola is a tanager from South America that is common in open and semi-open areas in lowlands. They have a wide distribution in South American. It has also been introduced to Hawaii, Puerto Rica and elsewhere.
The male is bright yellow with an orange crown which distinguishes it from most other yellow finches except for the Orange-fronted Yellow-finch. The females are just a slightly duller version of the male.
This species is very tolerant of human proximity, appearing at suburban areas and frequenting golf courses. They have a pleasant but repetitious song which, combined with their appearance, has led to them being kept as caged birds in many areas. Males are polygamous, mating with two females during the nesting season, and territorial, which has led to the species being used for blood sporting with two males put in a cage in order to fight.

These photos were taken on several golf courses on the Big Island.

The last two were taken at the Buenos Air zoo.

Shaffron Finch

Shaffron Finch male 1532

Shaffron Finch male 1381

Shaffron Finch male 1403

Shaffron Finch female 1540

Shaffron Finch female 1383

Saffron Finch 7240

Saffron Finch 7238