The Green-faced Parrotfinch Erythrura viridifacies is a species of estrildid finch found in northern Philippines, around Luzon, Negros and Panay.

Identification

Green-faced Parrotfinch is approximately 12-13 cm long. This species has entire plumage green except for bright red uppertail-coverts and tail and darker fringes to the primaries. It has long, pointed tail, while female is slightly shorter which also shows buff on lower belly and vent. Both sexes have large, dark bill. Green-faced Parrotfinch has a short, high-pitched tsit tsit, chattering and grating notes.

Habitats

It inhabits tropical moist forest (including degraded areas), forest edge and even savanna, often above 1,000 m, but occasionally found at the lowlands. It is usually found together with flowering or seeding bamboos, which are its food supply.

Threats

This species is threatened by deforestation which removes its food supply (bamboo seeds). Cage-bird trade has also affected its population as large numbers of Green-faced Parrotfinch in many districts of Manila are caught and exported to USA.

Conservation measures

This species is currently been conserved in two protected areas, the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and Bataan Natural Park/ Subic Bay. However, due to its nomadic habits, occurrence in protected areas does not necessarily confer continual protection. It was also proposed to conduct research on the distribution of the bamboos upon which it relies, and assess its response to deforestation and attempt to understand its movements. Afford protection to key sites found to support populations and favoured bamboos.