Fulvous-headed Brushfinch Atlapetes fulviceps Scientific name definitions

The Fulvous-headed Brush-Finch is found on the east slope of the Andes, from northwest Bolivia to northwest Argentina, at elevations between 1500 and 3000 m. It is fairly common in the undergrowth of humid montane woodland, but particularly favors alder-dominated areas. The species is perhaps most likely to be confused with the smaller-bodied Rust-and-yellow Tanager (Thlyopsis ruficeps); the upperparts are mainly olive-colored, with canary yellow underparts, and a rufous head, marked by a yellow supraloral spot, moustachial, and throat. Their behavior is also quite different, with the tanager being exclusively arboreal.

17 cm; one bird 28·2 g. Head  down to cheek, ear-coverts, side of neck and nape cinnamon, contrasting yellow patch on lores and yellow submoustachial area  , latter bordered below by cinnamon malar stripe (entirely isolating yellow submoustachial area); upperparts  green, upperwing and tail slate-grey with green fringes, upper­wing-coverts greenish; yellow chin and throat, contrasting with cinnamon malar; underparts with olive breastband, flanks and crissum, yellow belly  , on some breastband somewhat broken (giving more yellowish appearance in centre of breast); iris medium-brown; bill black; legs brownish. Sexes alike. Juvenile not formally described.

Andes of Bolivia (from La Paz S to Tarija) and adjacent NW Argentina (S to Jujuy and Salta).

Insects and seeds recorded as eaten; also fruits . Forages from just above ground to 3 m up in shrubbery. Also searches along thick moss-laden branches. Occasionally sallies out to catch insects. Forages singly and in pairs.

Song , from low vegetation, tends to be relatively uniform, is short and explosive, with introductory note and then a note repeated 3–5 times, e.g. “tii’Chew-Chew-Chew!” or faster “twi-tew’tew’tew”, sometimes lengthened to “pit-twee pit’ Chew-Chew-Chew”. Call a thin “zit”; alarm “pi ziue”.

Alvaro began birding as an 11 year old in Canada, and eventually trained in Evolutionary Ecology studying, creatures as varied as leaf-cutter ants and Argentine cowbirds. But his career has been focused on birding tourism, both as a guide and owner of his tour company, as well as a avitourism consultant to various organizations. He is the author of Birds of Chile, New World Blackbirds: The Icterids, as well as the ABA Field Guide to the birds of California. He lives in Half Moon Bay, California where he is known for his pelagic birding trips. Email: alvaro@alvarosadventures.com.