Sierra Nevada Brushfinch Arremon basilicus Scientific name definitions

Sierra Nevada Brushfinch formerly was included in a broadly distributed species, Stripe-headed Brushfinch, which extended from Costa Rica south to northern Argentina. "Stripe-headed Brushfinch" now is partitioned into no fewer than eight (!) species, most of which have restricted geographic distributions. Sierra Nevada Brushfinch fits this pattern, as it is entirely restricted to montane regions of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia. The natural history of Sierra Nevada Brushfinch is very poorly known. Generally, however, its behavior is similar to that of related species: Sierra Nevada Brushfinches are solitary or in pairs, and, while generally fairly common, they easily are overlooked as they forage quietly on the ground or in the undergrowth of humid forest and dense second growth.

19 cm. A stocky brush-finch looking relatively large-headed, and with longish bill. Has cap and face black, with grey median crownstripe and grey supercilium from above eye; black well demarcated below cheek and ear-coverts, not reaching back onto side of neck (as in closely related species) and contrasting strongly with white throat; upperparts, including wings and tail, olive-green (looking more grass-green in good light); white of throat divided from white underparts by black pectoral band, otherwise side of breast grey and flanks to vent brownish-olive; iris dark chestnut-brown; bill black; legs blackish. Sexes alike in coloration. Juvenile is browner than adult above, head dusky and lacking striping, and is pale brownish with darker brown streaking below.

Santa Marta Mts, in N Colombia.

Occupies undergrowth in humid montane forest, particularly near edges and borders; 600–2800 m.

Resident.

Little information on diet. Forages on ground; tends to feed under cover of vegetation. Scratches at leaf litter with bill. In pairs and singly.

Song a high-pitched sibilant series of notes, typical of “A. torquatus group”, but with very fast delivery and almost nervous sound, this due also to inclusion of some quavering high-pitched whistles. Call a sharp note.

Fledglings observed Mar–Jul. No other information.

Not assessed. Until recently was treated as a race of A. torquatus, and requires assessment. Locally common. Has a relatively very small global range, but may be stable in terms of population numbers. In view of its small range, however, any potential threats need to identified.

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.