The grey-browed brushfinch, or gray-stripped brushfinch, is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It lives in the undergrowth of humid forest, especially near the edges, at altitudes of 300 to 1,200 metres in the Andes Mountains of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and most of Peru.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs in the humid montane forests and forest edges of the Andes from western Venezuela through Colombia and Ecuador to much of Peru. It favors dense undergrowth, secondary growth, and bamboo (Chusquea) tangles where it forages close to the ground. The species is most often seen along trails, landslides, and forest borders where cover is thick. It can persist in moderately disturbed habitats provided sufficient understory remains.
Altitude Range
300–2500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Grey-browed Brushfinch is a skulking understory sparrow of humid Andean forests, often staying low in dense thickets and bamboo. It was formerly treated within the Stripe-headed Brushfinch complex and is now recognized as a separate species across much of the northern Andes. Pairs often keep close contact with sharp chip notes while foraging in leaf litter.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats low through understory
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs or small family groups that keep to dense cover. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low in vegetation or near the ground. Both sexes likely participate in parental care, and adults maintain contact with soft chips while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, sweet whistles and short phrases delivered from a low, concealed perch. Calls include sharp metallic chips and thin tsik notes used for contact in dense cover.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a gray face and nape, marked by bold dark crown stripes and a pale gray eyebrow. The throat is white bordered by a dark malar stripe, often leading to a narrow dark breast band. Underparts are grayish with olive or yellow-olive flanks and lower belly. Wings and tail are dusky-olive with subtle edging.
Diet
Consumes insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates gleaned from leaf litter and low foliage. Also takes seeds and small fruits, especially when invertebrates are less abundant. Foraging often involves quiet hopping and leaf-tossing on or near the ground.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in shaded understory of humid forest, overgrown edges, and bamboo thickets. Will use second growth and partially disturbed areas with thick cover.
