Ash-breasted Sierra-finch Geospizopsis plebejus
(aka Phrygilus plebejus)

Chilean name: Plebeyo

Male Ash-breasted Sierra-finch, Putre, Chile, February 2007 - click for larger image Putre, Chile
February 2007

The Ash-breasted Sierra-finch is distributed in the Andes of Ecuador, Peru, western Bolivia, northern Chile and western Argentina south to Mendoza. There is a disjunct population on the Serra de Córdoba, Argentina. See the distribution map at Birdlife International.

Male Ash-breasted Sierra-finch, Putre, Chile, February 2007 - click for larger image It is found mainly on rocky slopes in grassy areas of the altiplano at between 3,000 and 4,000 metres.

It is the smallest sierra-finch and is common and conspicuous being found in large flocks in the non-breeding season. Presumably the fact that it is so common gave rise to both its specific and its Chilean name.

Female Ash-breasted Sierra-finch, Putre, Chile, February 2007 - click for larger image The male, seen here in photos 1 and 2, is grey-brown above with dusky streaks and pale grey below becoming whiter towards the belly. It has a pale supercilium and an whitish eye-ring broken by a dark line through the eye. It has a peaked crown which can be seen in photo 1 and the bill is small and dark.

Although Fjeldså & Krabbe say that sexes are alike, most authorities mention that the female is lightly streaked on the throat and breast as can be seen on the birds in photos 3 and 4.

Female Ash-breasted Sierra-finch, Putre, Chile, February 2007 - click for larger image
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