Bird Guide

Saffron-billed Sparrow vs Sooty-faced Finch

Saffron-billed Sparrow (Arremon flavirostris)

Saffron-billed Sparrow

Arremon flavirostris

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The saffron-billed sparrow's name comes from its "striking orange bill". The adult male's head is mostly black, with a white supercilium from above the eye to the back of the head. The neck is gray and the back, wings, and tail are green. Its underside is white with grayish edges and a narrow black band across the upper chest. The adult female is similar but duller overall. The female's underparts are buffy with brown flanks. Juveniles are similar to the adults but duller. The species' length is from 15 to 16.5 cm (5.9 to 6.5 in). Voice: The song of the saffron-billed sparrow is a series of rapid notes variously described as "tsit, tsee-tsi-tsi, tseép-seép-tseép" and "sidsidlidsidlsidli". Its call is an insect-like "tseet". It vocalizes on or near the ground.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Davidson Moreira · CC BY 4.0
Sooty-faced Finch (Arremon crassirostris)

Sooty-faced Finch

Arremon crassirostris

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The sooty-faced finch is 15 to 17 cm (5.9 to 6.7 in) long and weighs 37 to 40.5 g (1.3 to 1.4 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a rusty crown and a white down-sweeping "moustache" on an otherwise blackish gray head and nape. Their upperparts are dark olive-green and their wings and tail a slightly browner olive-green. Their upper breast, sides, and flanks are dark olive-green and their lower breast and belly yellow. They have a dark brown or chocolate-brown iris, a dark gray maxilla, a pale yellow or whitish mandible, and dark legs and feet. Voice: One sooty-faced finch song is a "high-pitched, thin, emphatic pseee-psééét". Another is a "high-pitched, thin whistled see see seeya sue sue sisi see". Its call is a "sharp, thin, whistled pu-pee".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Daniel Ghyselinck · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Saffron-billed Sparrow and Sooty-faced Finch.