Ash-breasted Sierra Finch

Overview

The ash-breasted sierra finch (Geospizopsis plebejus) is a small bird in the family Thraupidae found in the highlands of South America. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is rather common throughout its large range in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.

Identification

• A small sierra-finch measuring 11–11.5 cm in length and weighing 13–17.4 g, with a short tail.
• Three subspecies are recognized that differ in size and coloration, with some displaying more grayish tones and less heavily-streaked upperparts than others.

Habitat

Primarily a highland species found in open habitats in the high Andes at elevations of 2,500–5,000 m, including dry puna grasslands, rocky slopes, and cactus-dominated areas. It is tolerant of arid and human-modified habitats such as villages and overgrazed pastures, with a lowland population in Tumbes ranging down almost to sea level.

Diet

The bird eats mainly seeds and supplements its diet with arthropods. Foraging takes place in small mixed flocks which occasionally include the greenish yellow-finch.

Did you know?

The generic name Geospizopsis is derived from Ancient Greek and Modern Latin to mean 'appearance of a ground finch', while the specific name plebejus translates to 'common' or 'ordinary'. It builds bulky nests from grass, hair, wool, and feathers, often located in crevices, under eaves, or under large rocks.