Black-masked Finch (Coryphaspiza melanotis)

Identification & Behavior: ~13.5 cm (5.2 in). The Black-masked Finch has olive and gray upperparts. It has broad white superciliary and black sides of the head (mask) through the eye. The lower mandible is bright yellow. Immature birds lack the broad white superciliary. The throat and rest of the underparts are white. It forages in grasslands with scattered shrubs. The head pattern and plumage is unmistakable but see Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch.

Status: The Black-masked Finch is common but restricted in Peru to the savannah habitat of Pampas del Heath in extreme southeast Peru. It also occurs in Br and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Pinzón Enmascarado.

Sub-species: Black-masked Finch (Coryphaspiza melanotis melanotis), (Temminck), 1822.

Meaning of Name: Coryphaspiza: Gr. koruphos= bird mentioned by Hesychius, but in ornithology always identified with the lark and spiza= finch or spizo= to chirp. melanotis: Gr. melas, melanos= black and otis, otos= ear, eared.

See more of the Family Thraupidae