Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch (Poospizopsis Caesar)

Identification & Behavior: ~16.5 cm (6.4 in). The Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch has gray upperparts and tail. It has a white eyebrow and black mask through the eye. The throat and sides of the neck are white. The breast and sides of the belly are chestnut. The flanks are gray.  The undertail coverts are chestnut. It forages in semi-humid Andean scrub habitats. The plumage and size of the Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch are unique in its restricted range. It does not overlap with the Plain-tailed Warbling-Finch.

Status: Endemic. The Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch is uncommon in inter-Andean valleys in southern Peru at elevations ranging between 3000-3800 m.

Name in Spanish: Monterita de Pecho Castaño.

Sub-species: Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch (Poospizopsis caesar), P. L. Sclater and Salvin, 1869.

Meaning of Name: Poospizopsis: Gr. poa, poas= grass, meadow and spiza= finch, and Gr. opsis: appearance. caesar: L. caesar, caesaris= crown-prince, emperor.

Formerly known as Poospiza caesar (2018).

See more of the Family Thraupidae