The mourning sierra finch is a species of South American bird in the tanager family Thraupidae.
Region
Southern Andes and Patagonian steppe
Typical Environment
Occurs from central and northern Chile across much of Argentina into Patagonia, with local movements northward in the austral winter. It favors arid to semi-arid matorral, open shrub-steppe, and sparsely vegetated slopes, and also uses fallow fields and road edges. In the south it can be found from near sea level in windswept steppe, while farther north it occupies canyon bottoms and foothill scrub. It tolerates dry conditions and open ground interspersed with low bushes, often near rocky outcrops.
Altitude Range
0–3500 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The mourning sierra finch is a South American tanager (family Thraupidae) adapted to arid shrublands and open steppe. Males are darker and more contrasting than females, which are browner and streaked for camouflage. It forages mostly on the ground for seeds but supplements its diet with small insects, especially during breeding. Outside the nesting season it often joins loose flocks with other sierra finches.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, undulating flights
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs during the breeding season, nesting low in shrubs or on the ground concealed by vegetation. Outside of breeding it forms small flocks, sometimes mixed with other sierra finches and ground-tyrants. The nest is a cup of grasses and fibers; both parents attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song is a brief, tinkling series of simple notes and trills delivered from a shrub top or rock. Calls include sharp chips and buzzy twitters used to keep contact within loose flocks.
Plumage
Male shows dusky to slate-black head and breast with contrasting paler gray back and whitish underparts; female is brownish-gray with subtle streaking and a paler belly. Both sexes have a stout, conical bill suited for seed cracking and relatively plain wings without strong bars. Overall appearance is of a dark, somber finch in the male and a subdued, streaked finch in the female.
Diet
Primarily consumes seeds of grasses and shrubs, cracking them efficiently with its stout bill. During the breeding season it adds small insects and other arthropods to meet protein demands. It also takes buds and soft plant matter opportunistically in lean seasons. Foraging is mostly on the ground with occasional low gleaning in shrubs.
Preferred Environment
Open, sparsely vegetated ground with scattered shrubs, rocky flats, and steppe edges. Frequently feeds along tracks, field margins, and disturbed patches where seeds are abundant.
