Northern and central Ethiopia (northern Gondar and northern Shoa Provinces, in Amhara Region).
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 10,000 - 19,999 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat destruction and degradation through increased grazing and cultivation is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Food
Seeds of grasses and herbs.
Voice
A soft, nasal 'szhree' uttered in contact. A high-pitched, trilling uttered in flight.
Ankober Serin (Crithagra ankoberensis) [XC122170]
by C. D. Romay from Lemi area, North Shewa, Amhara, Ethiopia (call)
Ankober Serin (Crithagra ankoberensis) [XC300229]
by Hans Matheve from Gemessa Gedel, Ethiopia (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Yemen Serin (Crithagra menachensis) and Ankober Serin (Crithagra ankoberensis) (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) are retained as separate species contra Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993) who include ankoberensis as a subspecies of Yemen Serin (Crithagra menachensis).
Has been considered conspecific with Yemen Serin (Crithagra menachensis) on grounds of plumage pattern and colour, long wings, breeding biology and egg colour. However, it differs significantly in bill morphology.
Similar Species
Streaky Seedeater (Crithagra striolata) which is very much larger, with much larger bill.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet