The greenish yellow finch is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in the central Andes of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland and heavily degraded former forest.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs in the central Andes of Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile, and northwestern Argentina. It favors puna and high-altitude shrublands, rocky slopes, and edges of Polylepis or shrub patches. The species is common around pastures, agricultural terraces, and rural settlements, often in open, sparsely vegetated ground. It also uses heavily degraded former forest and scrub mosaics where seeds are abundant.
Altitude Range
2000–4500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This high-Andean finch often forages in small flocks and readily uses human-altered landscapes, from field edges to village outskirts. Males deliver bright, tinkling songs from exposed perches like shrubs, fence posts, or boulders. It frequently joins mixed-species groups with other finches and siskins and is notably tolerant of degraded habitats.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with an undulating path
Social Behavior
Often forms small flocks outside the breeding season and may mix with other high-Andean finches. Pairs nest in the austral spring–summer, placing cup nests in crevices, banks, stone walls, or dense shrubs. Both parents participate in feeding the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A bright, tinkling series of rapid trills and twittering notes, delivered from exposed perches. Calls include sharp chips and short buzzes used to keep flock contact.
Plumage
Male shows olive-green upperparts with yellowish face and underparts washed olive on the breast; female is duller, more brown-olive with less yellow and subtle streaking. Both sexes have fairly plain wings with pale edging and lack bold wing bars. The overall impression is a soft olive-yellow finch with minimal strong markings.
Diet
Primarily consumes grass and weed seeds gleaned from the ground and low vegetation. It supplements with small insects and other invertebrates, especially during the breeding season to feed nestlings. The species readily exploits disturbed areas and harvested fields where seed spillage is common.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in open puna grasslands, stony slopes, scrub edges, and around agricultural plots and villages. Often forages on the ground or low shrubs, moving in small, loose groups.
