Black-crested Finch
Lophospingus pusillus
Striking and distinctive small finch-like tanager of the Chaco desert from central Argentina to W Paraguay and S Bolivia. Prefers open cactus and thorn woodland, often near roads and settlements. Generally in pairs or small groups. Range overlaps with Gray-crested finch in southern Bolivia. Juveniles of these two species are similar but note Black-ctrested’s broad supercilium.
Identification
The adult black-crested finch is about 14 cm (5.5 in) in length. It has a yellowish-pink beak and a distinctive spiky black crest. The male has a black head and black throat, and a broad white superciliary stripe. The cheek area is also white. The upper parts of the body, the wings and tail are grey, apart from the white tips to the wing-coverts and the large white areas at the corners of the tail which are particularly obvious in flight. The underparts are largely pale grey. The female is a little more drab, the crest is retained but the head pattern is less distinct, and the back and wings are tinged with brown.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lophospingus pusillus
- Authority
- (Burmeister, 1860)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Lophospingus
Range and habitat
The black-crested finch is found in a large swathe of land in South America. Its range extends from southern Bolivia, through western Paraguay to northern Argentina. It is usually found in open woodland and chaco scrubland, at altitudes of up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). It has been introduced into Uruguay.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
The black-crested finch is generally seen in pairs or in small groups. It forages on the ground and in the undergrowth for seeds and small invertebrates. The nest is built by the male and is cup shaped. It is composed of lichens and vegetable fibres, bound together with spiders' webs and lined with animal hairs and fine rootlets.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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