Tanager Finch
Oreothraupis arremonops
The Tanager Finch (Oreothraupis arremonops) is a rare new world sparrow found in 2 countries, weighing about 74 g. The tanager finch is a songbird species.
About the Tanager Finch
The tanager finch is a songbird species. In spite of its common name, it is neither a tanager nor a finch, but a New World sparrow, having been moved to that family after variously being placed in either the Emberizidae or the true tanager family Thraupidae. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Oreothraupis. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador, where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This bird is commonly around 20-30 cm. It is a small and bulky bird with a short, black beak. It has a black head with a white colored strip running towards its back. Tanager finches have a white stomach, which contrasts its rust or light orange body color, and dark brown legs. It has a proportional tail, which is a rust color that is slightly darker than its body. The male and female species of this bird look the same. Voice: The tanager finch's song is high pitched. It typically begins with three to five congested notes and then continues into a stilting chatter. It has been described as sounding like "tzz tzz tzzz tz-zz-zz-tz tz tz tz tz tz". The song gets stronger up to the very end. It also gets longer and more complex as it goes on.
What the Tanager Finch sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Tanager Finch can be seen all year round, with peak activity in February. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Tanager Finch?
- This bird is commonly around 20-30 cm. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Tanager Finch?
- The Tanager Finch is a medium sized bird weighing about 74 g.
- Where can you see a Tanager Finch?
- The Tanager Finch occurs in 2 countries, including Colombia and Ecuador.
- What does a Tanager Finch sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Tanager Finch on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Tanager Finch?
- The Tanager Finch is most easily confused with the Bolivian Brushfinch, the White-browed Brushfinch and the Fulvous-headed Brushfinch.
- Is the Tanager Finch endangered?
- The Tanager Finch is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Tanager Finch 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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