Costa Rican Brushfinch

Overview

The Costa Rican brushfinch (Arremon costaricensis) is a monotypic species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an estimated population of at least 20,000 mature individuals.

Identification

• 17 to 20 cm in length, weighing 40 to 49.5 g, with identical plumage in both sexes.
• Adults feature a black crown with a central gray stripe and a gray supercilium extending to the nape, contrasting with a black face.
• Olive-green upperparts, wings, and tail, with a white throat marked by a narrow gray band and a white center on the breast and belly.
• Song is high-pitched and thin, consisting of 1–3 alternated distinct phrases, accompanied by a sharp, metallic call.

Habitat

Found in the Pacific foothills of central Puntarenas and northern San José provinces in Costa Rica, extending south into western Panama's Chiriquí Province. It inhabits the undergrowth of humid tropical forest, as well as forest edges, bamboo thickets, and adjacent gardens. Elevations range from 240 to 1,500 m overall, with a specific range of 300 to 1,200 m in Costa Rica.

Diet

The Costa Rican brushfinch feeds on insects and seeds. It forages on or near the ground.

Did you know?

Breeding takes place between February and September, with the female solely responsible for incubating a clutch of two eggs for approximately 15 days, while both parents provision the nestlings after they fledge about 12 days post-hatch.