Cuzco Brushfinch
Atlapetes canigenis
The Cuzco Brushfinch (Atlapetes canigenis) is a rare new world sparrow found only in Peru, weighing about 32 g. The Cuzco brushfinch, also known as the grey brushfinch or sooty brushfinch, is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae.
About the Cuzco Brushfinch
The Cuzco brushfinch, also known as the grey brushfinch or sooty brushfinch, is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It is endemic to humid Andean forest in southeastern Peru, where mainly found in Cusco. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the slaty brushfinch.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Brushfinches are typically medium-size sparrows, with long tails. Brushfinches are usually gray or olive in colour with a contrasting crown. Cuzco brushfinches are two-toned with a uniform dusky gray and a rufous crown. The center of the belly, as well as the other underparts, are lighter gray than the outside, which is dark gray and the rufous color extends to the nape. The crown is boarded by a black stripe extending from in front of the eyes until the gray auriculars. The tail and wings are blackish with the primaries margined slightly with a grayish external. Voice: The Cuzco brushfinch has complex series of high-pitched squeaks. It is described as "shrill trill followed by a chatter and tew-tew-tew swee swee". Their "dawn song" was defined as the varied phrases given at regular intervals by the male alone, mainly or only at dawn and is different than a duet call. They are also known to include loud drawn out notes.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Cuzco Brushfinch can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Cuzco Brushfinch?
- Brushfinches are typically medium-size sparrows, with long tails. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Cuzco Brushfinch?
- The Cuzco Brushfinch is a small sized bird weighing about 32 g.
- Where can you see a Cuzco Brushfinch?
- The Cuzco Brushfinch is endemic to Peru, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Cuzco Brushfinch?
- The Cuzco Brushfinch is most easily confused with the White-headed Brushfinch, the Yellow-striped Brushfinch and the Bay-crowned Brushfinch.
- Is the Cuzco Brushfinch endangered?
- The Cuzco Brushfinch is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Cuzco Brushfinch for real
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