Brimstone Canary
Serinus sulphuratus
(Crithagra sulphuratus)
Near Lake Elementaita, Nakuru County, Kenya. October 2016. Notice the very heavy bill capable of cracking open tough seeds.
There are several similar canary species found in Kenya. They all show plumage of yellow, greenish brown and black streaking on the back. The White-bellied Canary has the lower third to half of the belly pale to white. The conical bills are adapted to feeding on seeds by cracking open the hulls. Females also have dark streaking on the chest.
From Wikipedia:
The brimstone canary is 15–16 cm in length with a heavy bill, which is short, conical and very stout at the base.
The bill is light brown with a pinkish or yellowish base. The legs and feet are pinkish-brown.
It has yellow-green upper parts with dark green streaking, yellow-green ear coverts and malar stripe,
and two yellow wing bars. The underparts are yellow, with a greenish wash on the flanks, and breast.
The sexes are similar, but the male is brighter, with a bigger bill, better defined face pattern,
brighter yellow wing bars and a greenish rump. Young birds are duller, greyer and less yellow below than the adults.
The degree to which this bird is green or yellow varies considerably across regions.
Fringillidae -- Finch Family
Books:
- Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania by Zimmerman et al.
- Birds of East Africa by Stevenson and Fanshawe