Slaty Brushfinch
Atlapetes schistaceus
The Slaty Brushfinch (Atlapetes schistaceus) is a uncommon new world sparrow found in 4 countries, weighing about 28 g. The slaty brushfinch or northern slaty brushfinch is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows.
About the Slaty Brushfinch
The slaty brushfinch or northern slaty brushfinch is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows. It is found from Venezuela to Ecuador.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The slaty brushfinch is 17 to 18 cm (6.7 to 7.1 in) long and weighs about 23 to 44 g (0.81 to 1.6 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies A. s. schistaceus have a rusty crown and nape and a mostly black face. They have a whitish spot on the lores and a long white "moustache" with a thin black stripe below it. Their upperparts are dark gray and their tail blackish. Their wings are mostly blackish with white bases on the primaries and white marginal coverts. The last shows as a white spot on the folded wing. Voice: The slaty brushfinch sings mostly at dawn, "a short tsuu, tweet-tweet". Pairs sing in duet, "poorly coordinated...high-pitched notes and trills that end with distinctive chewy-chewy-chewy or t'chew, t'chew, t'chew". When foraging it makes "thin tseet notes".
What the Slaty Brushfinch sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Slaty Brushfinch can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Slaty Brushfinch?
- The slaty brushfinch is 17 to 18 cm (6.7 to 7.1 in) long and weighs about 23 to 44 g (0.81 to 1.6 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Slaty Brushfinch?
- The Slaty Brushfinch is a small sized bird weighing about 28 g.
- Where can you see a Slaty Brushfinch?
- The Slaty Brushfinch occurs in 4 countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.
- What does a Slaty Brushfinch sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Slaty Brushfinch on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Slaty Brushfinch?
- The Slaty Brushfinch is most easily confused with the Yellow-breasted Brushfinch, the Yellow-thighed Brushfinch and the Choco Brushfinch.
- Is the Slaty Brushfinch endangered?
- The Slaty Brushfinch is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Slaty Brushfinch for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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