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.
