Black-spectacled Brushfinch

Atlapetes melanopsis

Rare brushfinch with a highly restricted range in the eastern Andes of central Peru. It has an ornate head pattern with a partial black mask bordered by chestnut, black-and-white mustache stripes, and a white spot between the eye and the bill. The only similar species is Apurimac Brushfinch, which is found farther southeast and has a smaller mask and thinner black mustache. Black-spectacled inhabits scrubby areas at the forest edge. Song is a series of rich, wheezing notes.

Identification

The black-spectacled brushfinch (Atlapetes melanopsis) is a Near Threatened species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows. It is endemic to Peru.

Taxonomy

Genus: Atlapetes; Family: Passerellidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Atlapetes melanopsis
Authority
Valqui & Fjeldså, 2002
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Passerellidae
Genus
Atlapetes

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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