Oreothraupis arremonops
The Tanager Finch (Oreothraupis arremonops) is a striking passerine from the family Thraupidae, though its robust, conical bill often gives it a finch-like appearance. Measuring around 18-19 cm in length and weighing 39-49 grams, it exhibits a distinctive plumage featuring olive-green upperparts, a slate-grey head, and a blackish crown and supercilium. A prominent white throat, sharply delineated by a black malar stripe, contrasts with its otherwise white underparts, often with a grey wash on...
This species primarily inhabits the dense understory and forest floor of humid montane cloud forests, forest borders, and dense secondary growth. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 1200 to 2800 meters.
The Tanager Finch's diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates, which it gleans and probes for among leaf litter and low vegetation, supplemented occasionally by small fruits and seeds.
The Tanager Finch is a largely diurnal bird, spending much of its active hours foraging on or near the forest floor, where it meticulously sifts through leaf litter and gleans insects from low-lying vegetation. While specific roosting habits are not extensively documented, it likely seeks refuge ...
The Tanager Finch is a resident species found exclusively in the Andes mountains of northwestern South America. Its primary distribution extends through the Western and Central Andes of Colombia, and south into the northern Cordillera Occidental of Ecuador. Within Colombia, populations are found ...
Least Concern
- Despite its "finch" moniker and robust bill, the Tanager Finch is a true member of the tanager family (Thraupidae). - It is the only species in its genus, *Oreothraupis*, making it a monotypic and evolutionarily distinct lineage. - Its ground-foraging behavior, sifting through leaf litter, is u...