Przevalski's Finch (Urocynchramus pylzowi) [XC491606]
by Peter Boesman from Mountains SW of Koko Nor, Qinghai, China (song)
Przevalski's Finch (Urocynchramus pylzowi) [XC491607]
by Ding Li Yong from Mountains SW of Koko Nor, Qinghai, China (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Similar morphologically to Uragus, but differs in bill structure, which (together with horn-like palette and song) is similar to that of Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) and has sometimes been classed as a bunting in family Emberizidae. Differs further from other cardueline finches in details of interorbital septum and from all other fringillids and emberizids in possessing a tenth primary, indicating sufficient level of divergence to warrant classification within its own monotypic family, Urocynchramidae. Further, mitochondrial DNA analysis indicates that present species has no phylogenetic relationship with Uragus and that it originated much earlier in the passeroid assemblage, and is probably best regarded as a relict member of the earliest finch families. Further research is required in order to ascertain its true affinities.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet