Rufous-eared Brush-Finch (Atlapetes rufigenis)

Identification & Behavior: ~18.5 cm (7.2 in). The Rufous-eared Brush-Finch is dusky-gray above and lighter gray below with a whitish center of the belly. It has a rufous head with black on the lores and around the eye. It also has a black malar stripe and white spots on the forehead. It forages in Andean scrub and Polylepis forests. The range of the Rufous-eared Brush-Finch does not overlap with that of the very similar Apurimac Brush-Finch and Black-spectacled Brush-Finch.

Status: Endemic. The Rufous-eared Brush-Finch is uncommon in montane scrub, riparian forest, and Polylepis woodlands on the east and west sides of the upper Marañon River Valley. It generally ranges at elevations within 3200-4600 m.

Name in Spanish: Matorralero de Oreja Rufa.

Sub-species: Rufous-eared Brush-Finch (Atlapetes rufigenis) (Salvin), 1895.

Meaning of Name: Atlapetes: Gr. myth. Atlas, a Titan king who was changed into a mountain and petes= flier, to fly. rufigenis: L. rufus= rufousand gena= cheek.

See more of the Family Passerellidae