Bolivian Brushfinch Atlapetes rufinucha Scientific name definitions

The Rufous-naped Brush-Finch is of course a member of the “Rufous-naped” complex of brush-finches. However, molecular work has recently divided many of the components of this complex into species, some of them are actually not all that closely related to each other. The complex is then made up of birds which look alike, but are not necessarily relatives. Due to the complexity of the taxonomy, and the overall confusion created by the name Rufous-naped, it has been suggested recently that rufinucha should perhaps be given the name Bolivian Brush-Finch as it is endemic to Bolivia; this would clarify confusion. The “Bolivian” Brush-Finch is dark greenish above with blackish wings and tail; the underparts are entirely yellow. As is classic in this complex, the face is blackish and this contrasts with a bright rusty crown stripe; there is also a yellow supraloral spot on the face that looks like a small eyebrow. Somewhat complicated is that northernmost populations in La Paz Department show dark scalloping on the breast, suggesting there may be some hybridization or gene flow with the more northerly Black-faced Brush-Finch; this bears closer study. The song is a simple and pleasant “Tweew ChEEEW!” or “cheuu tch-weEEE” separated by 4-7 seconds of silence before being repeated again. This finch is found in forest edge and shrub situations between 1200 and 3600 in elevation.

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

• Black-faced x Bolivian Brushfinch (hybrid) Atlapetes melanolaemus x rufinucha

Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Alvaro began birding as an 11 year old in Canada, and eventually trained in Evolutionary Ecology studying, creatures as varied as leaf-cutter ants and Argentine cowbirds. But his career has been focused on birding tourism, both as a guide and owner of his tour company, as well as a avitourism consultant to various organizations. He is the author of Birds of Chile, New World Blackbirds: The Icterids, as well as the ABA Field Guide to the birds of California. He lives in Half Moon Bay, California where he is known for his pelagic birding trips. Email: alvaro@alvarosadventures.com.