The Apurímac brushfinch or Apurimac brushfinch is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
This species is restricted to south-central Peru, especially the Apurímac River valley and adjacent intermontane slopes in the departments of Apurímac, Ayacucho, and Cusco. It favors dense montane shrublands, forest edges, secondary growth, and thickets along ravines. Brushy patches in agricultural mosaics, hedgerows, and scrubby Chusquea bamboo are also used. It typically keeps to cover, moving low through tangles and along the understory.
Altitude Range
2300–3600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Apurímac brushfinch is a Peruvian endemic of the Andes, confined mainly to the Apurímac River basin and nearby valleys. It belongs to the brushfinch group in the family Passerellidae and has been involved in taxonomic splits within the rufous-naped brushfinch complex. It is a shy, thicket-loving bird that is more often heard than seen. Its presence often indicates intact mid-elevation Andean shrublands and forest edges.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or family groups, keeping to dense cover. Nests are placed low in shrubs or thickets, with both parents involved in care. It sometimes joins mixed-species flocks along forest edges but generally remains close to cover.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, sweet whistles and short trills delivered from within cover or a low perch. Calls include sharp metallic chips and soft contact notes. Vocalizations carry well through shrubland despite the bird’s secretive habits.
Plumage
A brushfinch with slaty-gray body, contrasting rufous crown and nape, and a dark mask on the face; underparts are mostly gray with slightly paler throat. The wings and tail are dusky with subtle edging. Feathers appear smooth and sleek, often looking darker in shade.
Diet
It feeds on small invertebrates such as beetles, caterpillars, and spiders, which it gleans from foliage and the ground. Seeds and small berries form an important part of the diet, especially outside the peak insect season. It will occasionally pick at new shoots or soft plant matter. Foraging is methodical, with frequent pauses to probe leaf litter and low branches.
Preferred Environment
Most foraging occurs in dense shrubs, tangled edges of montane forest, and along hedgerows and ravines. It often works the understory within a meter or two of the ground, venturing briefly into open patches before retreating to cover.
