Band-tailed Sierra Finch

Overview

The band-tailed sierra finch, Rhopospina alaudina, is a species of bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is found across a highly disjunct range in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.

Identification

• A slim bird with a long tail and a long pointed bill, measuring 13.5 to 14.5 cm in length.
• Sexually dimorphic, with adult males featuring gray heads and lead-gray upperparts with blackish streaks, while females are predominantly brown with darker streaks.
• Both sexes display a distinctive white band on the tail feathers, with males having a brighter orange-yellow bill and legs compared to the duller yellowish of females.

Habitat

This species inhabits varied open landscapes, ranging from dry montane scrublands and semi-desert regions to rocky, grassy slopes with moderate shrubs. It is generally found at elevations below 2,500 m, though ranges vary from near sea level to 4,000 m depending on the subspecies and location.

Diet

The band-tailed sierra finch feeds primarily on seeds with smaller amounts of invertebrates. It forages on the ground, usually singly or in pairs, but occasionally joins flocks with sparrows and other finch-like tanagers.

Did you know?

Males perform a dramatic breeding flight display that can reach 20 m high, singing during the descent to attract a mate.