Habitat
Semi-arid desert scrub, savannah with scattered trees, thick patches of scrub on rocky hill sides, and grasslands, especially those with the tussock-grass Cymbopogon and small shrubs like Lavandula. From 1,400 - 1,500 m.
Yellow-throated Seedeater (Crithagra flavigula) [XC199338]
by Peter Boesman from Melka Ghebdu, Ethiopia (song)
Yellow-throated Seedeater (Crithagra flavigula) [XC307073]
by Pritam Baruah from Melka Ghebdu, Amhara, Ethiopia (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Forms a superspecies, and formerly treated as conspecific, with Salvadori's Seedeater (Crithagra xantholaema) and both have been treated as conspecific with Black-throated Canary (Crithagra atrogularis). Geographical variation of Salvadori's Seedeater (Crithagra xantholaema) problematic and insufficiently known, and position further confused by population on Mt Fantalle (central Ethiopia), which intermediate in characters between latter and present species.
Once thought to be a synonym of Yellow-rumped Seedeater (Crithagra xanthopygia) or even a hybrid between that and White-bellied Canary (Crithagra dorsostriata). Provisionally considered a separate species pending further research, including analysis of mitochondrial DNA.
Similar Species
Reichenow's Seedeater (Crithagra reichenowi) which has a yellow rump, lacks yellow throat.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet