The Corsican finch, also known as the Corsican citril finch or Mediterranean citril finch, is a species of passerine bird belonging to the family Fringillidae, the "true" finches. This species is endemic to Corsica and Sardinia and nearby islands in France and Italy.
Region
Western Mediterranean
Typical Environment
Occurs on Corsica (France), Sardinia (Italy), and a few nearby islands, primarily in mountainous areas. It frequents open conifer woods, forest edges, and clearings with scattered pines and adjacent alpine meadows. Corsican pine forests are especially important for breeding and feeding. In winter it may descend to lower elevations and use more mixed woodland and shrubby habitats.
Altitude Range
300–1800 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The Corsican finch, sometimes called the Mediterranean citril finch, was long treated as a subspecies of the citril finch but is now widely recognized as a distinct species. It is restricted to the islands of Corsica (France) and Sardinia (Italy) and neighboring islets. It favors open montane pine forests, especially stands of Corsican pine. Its song and subtle plumage differences from the citril finch helped clarify its taxonomic status.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
undulating with rapid, bounding wingbeats
Social Behavior
Outside the breeding season it often forms small, mobile flocks that roam between feeding sites. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding period and defend small territories around the nest. Nests are cup-shaped and placed in conifers, often well concealed among needles.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A bright, tinkling series of trills and twitters, softer and more musical than the European serin. Calls include thin, rising seee and short, metallic notes given in flight.
Plumage
Compact finch with a neat, lightly streaked olive-tinged back, bright yellow underparts, and a greyer head and nape. Two pale wingbars and a yellow rump are evident in good light; females are duller and more brown-olive with less yellow.
Diet
Feeds mainly on seeds of pines and various herbs and grasses, including composites and plantains. Buds and small shoots are taken in early spring, and insects and larvae are added during the breeding season for protein. It will glean seeds from cones, seedheads, and the ground, occasionally visiting weedy patches and forest edges.
Preferred Environment
Typically forages in open conifer woods, forest clearings, and adjacent alpine meadows where seed plants are abundant. Often feeds on the ground or low vegetation, and in pines when working cones.
