Atlapetes melanolaemus
The Grey-eared Brushfinch (*Atlapetes melanolaemus*) is a vibrant and striking songbird, a true gem endemic to the Peruvian Andes. Measuring approximately 18 cm (7 inches) in length, with an estimated weight between 25-35 grams, this species exhibits no obvious sexual dimorphism, with both sexes displaying the same brilliant plumage. Its most distinctive features include a glossy black head that extends down to just below the eye, sharply contrasting with prominent grey ear-coverts—a key iden...
This species inhabits humid montane forests, forest edges, and secondary growth, often favoring dense understory and bamboo thickets. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 3,700 meters (6,500 to 12,000 feet) in the Andes.
Its diet primarily consists of insects and other arthropods, which it gleans from foliage and ground litter. It also supplements its diet with small fruits and seeds.
The Grey-eared Brushfinch is a diurnal bird, spending most of its active hours foraging stealthily within the dense undergrowth and lower strata of its montane forest habitat. It employs a gleaning strategy, carefully searching foliage, bark, and leaf litter for arthropods, its primary food sourc...
The Grey-eared Brushfinch is an altitudinal resident, endemic solely to the Andean mountains of south-central Peru. Its distribution is restricted to a relatively small area encompassing the regions of Cusco and ApurĂmac, with occasional records from neighboring Puno. Within this range, it primar...
Least Concern
- The Grey-eared Brushfinch is entirely endemic to Peru, making it a unique avian treasure found nowhere else in the world. - Its distinctive grey ear-coverts are a key field mark, setting it apart from many other brushfinch species, which often have solid black or rufous heads. - Despite its vib...