Lophospingus pusillus
The Black-crested Finch (*Lophospingus pusillus*) is a striking yet often elusive songbird of the South American Chaco, known for its distinctive and prominent black, pointed crest. This small finch measures about 13 cm (5.1 in) in length and weighs between 12-16 grams. Its elegant plumage features dull grey upperparts, a clean white supercilium extending above the eye, and a broad black malar stripe sharply contrasting with a pure white throat. Underparts are a paler grey, gradually transiti...
Found in dry, arid scrubland, thorny woodlands, and open brushy areas, primarily within the Gran Chaco biome, generally at elevations below 1000 meters.
Primarily granivorous, feeding on a variety of small seeds from grasses and shrubs, supplemented with small invertebrates, especially during the breeding season.
This diurnal species often forages secretly, moving through dense scrub, more active during cooler parts of the day. It primarily gleans seeds from the ground, probes leaf litter, and occasionally plucks small invertebrates from low vegetation with swift, darting movements between cover. During t...
The Black-crested Finch is a resident species distributed across central South America, primarily within the Gran Chaco biome. Its range extends through southeastern Bolivia, western Paraguay, northern Argentina, and a small part of extreme southwestern Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul). In Argentina, ...
Least Concern
- Its most iconic feature, the prominent black crest, gives the Black-crested Finch its common name and is a key identification mark. - Despite its finch-like appearance, genetic studies have reclassified it from the Emberizidae (Old World sparrows and buntings) to the Thraupidae (tanagers and al...