Poospiza baeri
The Tucumán Mountain Finch (Poospiza baeri) is a striking, small passerine bird, measuring approximately 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 inches) in length and weighing around 12-14 grams. It features olive-gray upperparts, contrasting with a vibrant rufous or cinnamon underparts. A key identifying field mark is its prominent white supercilium that sharply outlines a black facial mask, particularly noticeable in males. A small white wingbar may also be visible on its dusky wings. Taxonomically, it belongs t...
Found primarily in dry to semi-humid montane scrub, woodland edges, and relict forests, often characterized by dense shrubbery and low trees, at elevations typically ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small arthropods gleaned from foliage and the ground, supplemented with various small seeds from grasses and shrubs.
This diurnal species is generally observed singly or in pairs, though it may join mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season. It forages actively, gleaning insects and seeds from low vegetation, shrubs, and the ground, often flicking leaves and searching within dense cover. During the breed...
The Tucumán Mountain Finch is endemic to the central Andes of South America, with its primary breeding and year-round range concentrated in northwestern Argentina and southern Bolivia. In Argentina, its distribution spans the provinces of Tucumán, Salta, Jujuy, and Catamarca. Its range extends no...
Least Concern
- The Tucumán Mountain Finch is named after the Argentine province of Tucumán, where it was first described and is consistently found. - Despite its common name 'finch', it is actually classified within the tanager family (Thraupidae), making it an 'Andean Tanager' rather than a true finch. - It ...