Atlapetes rufigenis
The Rufous-eared Brushfinch (Atlapetes rufigenis) is a striking, medium-sized New World sparrow, endemic to the northern Andes of South America. Measuring approximately 18 cm (7.1 inches) in length, this species is immediately recognizable by its distinctive rufous (reddish-brown) ear-coverts, which starkly contrast with a broad, glossy black hood that covers its forehead, crown, nape, and throat. Its underparts are a vibrant yellow, often with an olive wash on the flanks, while its back and ...
Found primarily in dense undergrowth and at the edges of humid montane forest, cloud forest, and paramo borders. Typically inhabits elevations between 2,000-3,000 meters (6,500-9,800 feet), occasionally higher.
Feeds predominantly on insects and other invertebrates gleaned from foliage and leaf litter, supplemented with small fruits and seeds.
This brushfinch is primarily diurnal, though often secretive, preferring to forage low in dense vegetation and bamboo thickets. It exhibits typical brushfinch foraging strategies, hopping on the ground or in low shrubs, gleaning insects and other invertebrates from foliage, and probing through le...
The Rufous-eared Brushfinch is endemic to the northern Andes, with its distribution centered across specific montane regions of Colombia and Venezuela. In Colombia, it is found in the western and central Andes, extending south through departments like Antioquia and Cauca. Its range also includes ...
Least Concern
- The Rufous-eared Brushfinch is part of a large and diverse genus, Atlapetes, with over 30 species primarily found in Central and South America. - Its scientific name, 'rufigenis,' literally translates to 'red-cheeked,' directly referencing its most distinctive field mark. - Despite its vivid co...