Tanager Finch

Overview

The tanager finch (Oreothraupis arremonops) is a New World sparrow that is neither a true tanager nor a finch. It is the sole member of the monotypic genus Oreothraupis and is found in the subtropical or tropical moist montane forests of Colombia and Ecuador.

Identification

• A small, bulky bird measuring approximately 20–30 cm in length with a short, black beak and dark brown legs.
• Features a black head with a distinct white strip running towards the back, contrasting with a white stomach and a rust or light orange body.
• The tail is proportional in size and rust-colored, slightly darker than the main body coloration.
• The song is high-pitched, typically starting with three to five congested notes that transition into a stilting chatter described as 'tzz tzz tzzz tz-zz-zz-tz tz tz tz tz tz', growing stronger and more complex towards the end.

Habitat

Inhabits the thick undergrowth of dense, wet, and mossy cloud forests in Colombia and Ecuador. It is a non-migratory resident of these subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, though its population is experiencing decline due to habitat loss.

Diet

Frequently scavenges in pairs or family groups on or just above the ground within moist undergrowth, beneath low shrubs, and in leaf litter. They have been observed scratching at litter leaves on the forest floor, though specific food items are not detailed.

Did you know?

Despite its common name, the tanager finch is not a tanager or a finch but a sparrow, having been reclassified after previously being placed in the Emberizidae or Thraupidae families. Its nests are constructed from moss and one documented example, located one meter above the ground, contained a single white egg.