Coryphospingus pileatus
The Grey Pileated Finch, *Coryphospingus pileatus*, is a striking small passerine renowned for the male's vibrant crest, making it a distinctive sight in South American drylands. Measuring approximately 13 cm (5 inches) in length and weighing 10-14 grams, males feature an elegant ash-grey back and clean white underparts, brilliantly offset by a fiery reddish-orange crown bordered with a thin line of black. This distinctive 'pileum' gives the species its name and serves as its most prominent f...
Primarily inhabiting dry deciduous forests, thorny scrublands, caatinga, and cerrado woodlands, the Grey Pileated Finch prefers open, semi-arid environments and forest edges, typically at low to moderate elevations up to 1,200 meters.
The Grey Pileated Finch feeds predominantly on small seeds, particularly those of grasses and herbaceous plants, supplemented by a significant intake of small insects and their larvae, such as ants, termites, and tiny beetles. They primarily forage by gleaning from the ground and low vegetation.
The Grey Pileated Finch is an active, often elusive bird, spending much of its day foraging on or near the ground. It primarily hops along the forest floor or through low vegetation, diligently gleaning seeds and insects. During the non-breeding season, these finches often form small, loose flock...
The Grey Pileated Finch has a relatively widespread distribution across south-central South America, primarily centered in Brazil, extending westward into eastern Bolivia, southward through Paraguay, and reaching parts of northern Argentina. In Brazil, it is common across the caatinga, cerrado, a...
Least Concern
- The male's striking reddish-orange crest is not always visible; it can be raised and lowered, often flaring up during display or excitement. - Despite its common name 'finch,' genetic studies have reclassified it into the tanager family (Thraupidae), making it a 'finch-like tanager. - Its prefe...