The sooty-faced finch is a species of bird in the family Emberizidae. Until recently, it was placed in the genus Lysurus.
Region
Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs on the Caribbean slopes of Costa Rica into western Panama, primarily in humid foothill and lower montane forests. It favors dense understory, thickets, and forest edges, often near streams and in areas with abundant leaf litter. The species typically stays close to the ground, moving through tangles, bamboo patches, and secondary growth. It may also appear at shady edges along trails and roadcuts where cover is thick.
Altitude Range
300–1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The sooty-faced finch is a shy, ground-foraging brushfinch of humid foothill forests in Costa Rica and western Panama. It was formerly placed in the genus Lysurus but is now generally treated in Arremon. Its thick bill helps it tackle seeds and small fruits, and it often stays low in dense cover near streams. Pairs or family groups skulk through leaf litter, making it more often heard than seen.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups moving quietly through dense understory. It nests low to the ground in thick cover, building a cup nest concealed in vegetation. Territorial during the breeding season but may associate loosely with mixed-species flocks outside peak breeding.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song consists of thin, clear whistles and short phrases delivered from low perches inside cover. Calls are sharp metallic chips used to keep contact while foraging. Vocalizations carry surprisingly well despite the bird’s preference for dense habitat.
