Atlapetes seebohmi
The Bay-crowned Brushfinch, *Atlapetes seebohmi*, is a striking member of the New World sparrow family (Passerellidae), endemic to the high Andes of Ecuador and Peru. Measuring approximately 15-16 cm (6 inches) in length, this species is characterized by its distinctive rufous or bay-colored crown, which contrasts sharply with black lores and a broad black stripe extending from the eye to the ear coverts, forming a mask. Its upperparts are generally olive-green, while the underparts are brigh...
This species primarily inhabits dense undergrowth, shrubby borders of humid montane forest, cloud forest edges, and second-growth scrub in the high Andes, typically at elevations between 2,000 and 3,000 meters (6,500-9,800 feet), occasionally ranging lower or higher.
Its diet consists mainly of insects and other small invertebrates gleaned from foliage and leaf litter, supplemented with small fruits and seeds.
The Bay-crowned Brushfinch is a diurnal bird, highly active throughout the day, foraging primarily on or near the ground within dense vegetation, often in pairs or small family groups. They employ a combination of gleaning from leaves and branches, as well as typical brushfinch-style scratching a...
The Bay-crowned Brushfinch is a resident species, endemic to the humid montane forests and associated scrublands of the Andes in southern Ecuador and northern and central Peru. In Ecuador, its distribution is concentrated in the provinces of Loja and Zamora-Chinchipe. Further south, it ranges ext...
Least Concern
- The Bay-crowned Brushfinch's scientific name, *Atlapetes seebohmi*, honors Henry Seebohm, a renowned British ornithologist and explorer of Asian birds. - Despite its brushfinch moniker, this species is part of the New World sparrow family, Passerellidae, not closely related to true Old World sp...