Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus plebejus)

Identification & Behavior: ~12.5 cm (5 in). The male Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch is gray above and ashy-gray below. The female is similar but has dusky streaks on the breast and part of the belly. It forages on the ground in open areas with scattered shrubs, bushes, and rocks. It is similar to the Plumbeous Sierra-Finch but is distinguished by smaller size, ashy-gray underparts and lightly streaked underparts in the female. Both male and female Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch have a faint pale eyebrow which is lacking in the Plumbeous Sierra-Finch.

Status: The Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch common and widespread on the west slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 2400-4700 m. It also occurs in Ec, Bo, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Fringilo de Pecho Cenizo.

Sub-species: Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus plebejus ocularis), P. L. Sclater, 1859.  Andes of Ecuador S to N Peru (N of Marañón Valley).
(Phrygilus plebejus plebejus), Tschudi, 1844.  Andes of Peru (S of Marañón Valley), N Chile (S to Antofagasta) and W Bolivia S to NW & WC Argentina (to Mendoza).

Meaning of Name: Phrygilus: Gr. phrugilos= unidentified bird mentioned by Aristophanes, perhaps some sort of finch or sparrow. plebejus: L. plebs, plebis= people, plebeius= common, ordinary.

See more of the Family Thraupidae