Short-tailed Finch (Idiopsar brachyurus)

Identification & Behavior: ~19 cm (7.4 in). The Short-tailed Finch is all gray with a relatively long and thick bill. It forages on the ground in areas with rocks and also at the edges of scrub and Polylepis woodlands. It spends a significant amount of time sitting on top of rocks. It is similar to the Plumbeous Sierra-Finch but is distinguished by larger size and longer and thicker bill.

Status: The Short-tailed Finch is uncommon but very local. It is known to occur in a handful of localities above the treeline on the east slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 3900-4600 m. It also occurs in Bo.

Name in Spanish: Fringilo de Cola Corta.

Sub-species: Short-tailed Finch (Idiopsar brachyurus), Cassin, 1867.

Meaning of Name: Idiopsar: Gr. idios= peculiar, distinct and psar, psaros= starling. brachyurus: Gr. brakhus= short and oura= tail.

See more of the Family Thraupidae