Yellow-bridled Finch (Melanodera xanthogramma) [XC296125]
by Cristian Pinto from San Clemente, Talca, VII Regi\u00f3n, Chile (call)
Yellow-bridled Finch (Melanodera xanthogramma) [XC116672]
by GABRIEL LEITE from Piedra Numerada, Santiago Province, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile (song)
Subspecies
Type description includes Falkland Is, possibly indicating misidentified immature of Canary-winged Finch (Melanodera melanodera), but this considered unlikely, as morphological and ecological differences between the two species in Falklands already well described at the time. There are no recent records from Falklands, where presumably now extirpated. Likely that genus belongs within tanager family (Thraupidae), but molecular data needed to support this assertion. Some morphological and plumage features suggest relationship with Rowettia. Subspecies well differentiated both in coloration and in size, and further work may suggest that they are better treated as two separate species. Shows a peculiar polymorphism, some birds being extensively washed green above and yellow below, others not. Distribution and significance of this "green morph" not well understood.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
barrosi Chapman, 1923 - Andes of central and southern Chile (Atacama south to Magallanes north of Strait of Magellan) and west-central and south-western Argentina (Mendoza south to Santa Cruz).
xanthogramma (Gould & G. R. Gray, in Gould, 1839) - Tierra del Fuego (extreme southern Chile and southern Argentina).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet