Amadina
Cut-throat finch (Amadina fasciata)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Estrildidae
Genus: Amadina
Swainson, 1827
Type species
Loxia fasciata
(Cut-throat finch)
Species

Cut-throat finch
Red-headed finch

Amadina is a genus of estrildid finches that are found in Africa.

Taxonomy

The genus Amadina was introduced in 1827 by the English naturalist William John Swainson with the cut-throat finch as the type species.[1] The name Amadina is a corrupted diminutive of the genus name Ammodramus, the genus of several American sparrows. Swainson thought the cut-throat finch formed a link between that genus and the genus Estrilda, and created the name to reflect that linkage.[2]

Species

The genus contains two species:[3]

Image Common Name Scientific name Distribution
Cut-throat finch Amadina fasciata Sub-Saharan Africa
Red-headed finch Amadina erythrocephala Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

References

  1. ^ Swainson, William John (1827). "On several groups and forms in ornithology, not hitherto defined". Zoological Journal. 3: 343–363 [349].
  2. ^ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Names. London, UK: Christopher Helm. p. 43. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
  3. ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2021). "Waxbills, parrotfinches, munias, whydahs, Olive Warbler, accentors, pipits". IOC World Bird List Version 11.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 10 July 2021.


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