Microspingus alticola
The Plain-tailed Warbling Finch (*Microspingus alticola*) is a subtly elegant high-Andean passerine, typically measuring about 13 cm (5 inches) in length and weighing 10-15 grams. Its plumage features olive-green upperparts that transition to pale yellow or whitish on the underparts, offering excellent camouflage within its scrubby, montane habitat. A distinctive pale supercilium above the eye is a key field mark, contrasting with its otherwise unpatterned head and plain, unstreaked tail. Thi...
This species primarily inhabits high-altitude montane scrub, shrubby grasslands, and the borders of humid woodlands within the Andes, typically found between 3,000 to 4,500 meters (10,000-14,800 feet) elevation. It prefers areas with dense, thorny vegetation providing cover.
The Plain-tailed Warbling Finch has an omnivorous diet, primarily consisting of insects and other arthropods, such as caterpillars, beetles, and spiders, which it gleans from vegetation. It also supplements its diet with small seeds, particularly outside the breeding season.
Plain-tailed Warbling Finches are primarily diurnal, actively foraging during daylight hours and retreating into dense vegetation for roosting at night. Their foraging strategy involves gleaning insects and spiders from foliage, twigs, and small branches, often moving methodically through shrubs ...
The Plain-tailed Warbling Finch is distributed across the high Andes of South America, exhibiting a fragmented but stable range. Its core breeding and year-round distribution extends from southern Peru (specifically in the regions of Arequipa, Puno, and Cuzco) southeastward through the Andean dep...
Least Concern
- Despite its "plain" name, its subtle olive and yellow plumage offers perfect camouflage in its high-Andean scrub habitat. - It belongs to the Thraupidae family, making it a tanager, not a true finch, despite its "warbling finch" common name. - This species is an altitudinal specialist, rarely f...