Emberizoides herbicola
The Wedge-tailed Grass Finch (*Emberizoides herbicola*) is a striking New World sparrow recognized for its remarkably long, graduated tail and distinctive coloration. Averaging 17-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length and weighing 20-30 grams, it presents a robust yet agile appearance. Its upperparts are a vibrant olive-greenish with prominent black streaking, contrasting sharply with clean whitish underparts, which may show faint streaking on the flanks. A pale supercilium often highlights its dark e...
This species thrives in open, often damp or seasonally wet grasslands, savannas, and pastures, typically in lowlands but extending to elevations of 2000 meters. It strongly favors areas with tall, dense grasses that provide both cover and foraging opportunities.
The diet of the Wedge-tailed Grass Finch primarily consists of various grass seeds and weed seeds, supplemented by a significant intake of small insects like grasshoppers and beetles, especially during the breeding season. It forages mostly by gleaning items from the ground and directly from low ...
The Wedge-tailed Grass Finch is primarily diurnal, spending most of its day foraging on the ground or low in dense vegetation. It typically walks or hops, often exhibiting a mouse-like tendency to run through thick grass to evade detection rather than flushing immediately. Foraging involves glean...
The Wedge-tailed Grass Finch boasts a wide distribution across much of central and eastern South America, primarily within suitable grassland and savanna habitats. Its breeding range extends from eastern Colombia, southern Venezuela, and the Guianas, south through Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Urugu...
Least Concern
- The Wedge-tailed Grass Finch’s incredibly long, graduated tail, which can be as long as its body, often appears "wedged" or pointed, giving it its common name. - Despite its finch-like appearance, it belongs to the New World Sparrow family (Passerellidae), making it a distant relative of specie...