Band-tailed Seedeater (Catamenia analis)

Identification & Behavior: ~12.5 cm (5 in). The male Band-tailed Seedeater is bluish gray overall with blackish around the base of the bill, which is orange. The undertail coverts are chestnut. The female is brownish streaked with dusky throughout. The bill is yellowish. Both sexes have a broad white band on the tail, which is more prominent in the male. It forages in dry montane scrub and other semi-open habitats. It is similar to the Band-tailed Sierra-Finch but is distinguished by smaller size, slender appearance, short stubby bill, and gray legs.

Status: The Band-tailed Seedeater is common mostly on the west slope of the Andes where ranges from sea level in Central Peru to 4000 m. It also ranges on the east slope of the Andes in southern Peru. The Band-tailed Seedeater also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Semillero de Cola Bandeada.

Sub-species: Band-tailed Seedeater (Catamenia analis analoides), (Lafresnaye), 1847.  W slope of Andes of Peru (Piura S to Ayacucho).
(Catamenia analis griseiventris), Chapman, 1919.  SW Peru (Cusco S to Tacna).
(Catamenia analis insignis), J. T. Zimmer, 1930.  E slope of Peruvian Andes (Cajamarca S to Ancash).

Meaning of Name: Catamenia: Gr. kata= in relation to and men, menos= month. Katamenia= menstrual, menstruous. analis: L. anus, ani= anus, analis= relating to the undertail-coverts, of the vent.

See more of the Family Thraupidae