White-headed Brushfinch Atlapetes albiceps Scientific name definitions

The White-headed Brush-Finch is found in northernmost Peru and extreme southern Ecuador. It is unique in having a white face surrounded by a blackish crown and nape. Otherwise it may show a distinct dark lateral throat stripe, with the underparts otherwise whitish with grayish washed flanks. Above it is gray with a bold white patch at the base of the primaries. It most closely resembles the White-winged Brush-Finch (Atlapetes leucopterus); particularly similar are white freckled individuals of A. leucopterus dresseri subspecies of Peru. White-headed Brush-Finch occurs in scrub in dry montane valleys. It sometimes forms relatively large flocks and mixes with other brush-finches, such as White-winged Brush-Finch. Aside from differences in plumage, White-headed can be distinguished by its larger size; furthermore, overall White-headed is found in lower elevations (only up to 1400 m). White-headed Brush-Finch forages on the ground as well as in low shrubbery; stomach contents have determined that the food includes seeds as well as insects.