Melanodera xanthogramma
The Yellow-bridled Finch (Melanodera xanthogramma) is a striking high-Andean songbird, instantly recognizable by the male's bold facial markings. Measuring approximately 14.5 to 16 cm (5.7-6.3 inches) in length, males boast a distinctive black head sharply contrasted by a bright yellow "bridle" – a prominent superciliary stripe and malar stripe that extend from the bill base. Their upperparts are blackish with subtle gray scaling, transitioning to whitish underparts with a grey wash on the fl...
Primarily inhabits open, often stony, alpine grasslands (puna, high Andean steppe), rocky slopes, and scree fields with low scrub, typically at elevations between 1,500 and 4,500 meters.
Primarily granivorous, feeding on a variety of grass seeds and small forb seeds, supplemented with small invertebrates (insects, larvae) especially during the breeding season, all gleaned from the ground.
Yellow-bridled Finches are diurnal, primarily active during daylight hours, often observed foraging on the ground. They employ a hopping and picking strategy to glean seeds and invertebrates from the sparse Andean terrain. During the breeding season, males are territorial, establishing and defend...
The Yellow-bridled Finch is endemic to the southern Andes of South America, with its primary distribution spanning Chile and Argentina. Its breeding range extends from central Chile (Maule region) southwards through Patagonia to Tierra del Fuego, and across the border in Argentina, from Neuquén s...
Least Concern
- The male's vivid yellow "bridle" on a black head makes it one of the most distinctly marked finches in the Andes. - Despite its finch-like appearance, genetic studies place it within the tanager family (Thraupidae), making it a high-altitude outlier among its relatives. - It's a master of high-...