Band-tailed Sierra Finch
Rhopospina alaudina
Small, rather slender “finch” (actually a tanager!) with bright yellow-pink legs. The white band at base of tail is best seen in flight, when the tail is spread. Found in variety of open stony and sandy habitats with scattered bushes and grassy areas. Breeding male has bright yellow bill and blackish face. Nonbreeding male is duller with a pale eyering and pinkish bill. Female is best told by pale eyering and fine dark streaking above and below, as well as the white tail band, which can be hard to see.
Identification
The band-tailed sierra finch (Rhopospina alaudina) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae, the tanagers and allies. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.
Taxonomy
Genus: Rhopospina; Family: Thraupidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Rhopospina alaudina
- Authority
- (Kittlitz, 1833)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Rhopospina
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Blue-throated Goldentail
Chlorestes eliciae
Uncommon and local, rather small hummingbird of humid forest edge, plantations, and woodlands in tropical lowlands and foothills. Perches and feeds mainly at middle to upper levels in shady understory and at edges. Note the bright red bill and greenish-gold tail (which often looks grayish). Male has violet gorget. Female has violet throat spotting, but often these areas look rather dull and grayish unless they catch the light.
Long-billed Tailorbird
Artisornis moreaui
Inconspicuous, apalis-like grayish warbler with a long tail, straight thin bill, and buff-brown forehead. Isolated population in Mozambique, sometimes considered a different species (Njesi Tailorbird), is smaller, darker, and browner on the head. Singles and pairs are very low density, shy and creep slowly through the undergrowth and canopy, especially nearby streams; sometimes joins mixed-species flocks. Song a pleasant sweet bouncing “eeh-yuh, eeh-yuh, eeh-yuh” or strident “peelik-peelik-peelik”, sometimes joined in duet with a dry buzzing “dzit”; call a high-pitched “chhet” like a squeaky dog’s toy. Similar Brown-headed Apalis is shorter-billed than Long-billed Tailorbird and has white tips to the tail.
Appert's Tetraka
Xanthomixis apperti
Pretty, medium-sized tetraka. Green back, gray head, and rich yellow underparts. Rare and localized Madagascar endemic that is found in a handful of forest patches in the southwest. Most often seen in the understory of western deciduous forest. Often in pairs, small flocks, or mixed-species flocks. Call is a series of silvery, sputtered “spit” notes. In its small range, separated from Spectacled Tetraka by its brighter underparts, gray head, and pale eye-stripe. Much smaller and more brightly colored than Long-billed Bernieria.
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