Pale-naped Brushfinch Atlapetes pallidinucha Scientific name definitions

The Pale-naped Brush-finch is another relatively variable, geographically speaking, species of brush-finch. The Pale-naped fits into the most common brush-finch head pattern, having blackish sides to the head, and a colorful mid-crown stripe. What is unusual about the stripe on this brush-finch is that it begins as yellow or tawny on the forehead and abruptly turns white on the rear crown and nape. The White-naped Brush-Finch has an entirely white crown stripe, lacking the colorful forehead stripe of the Pale-naped. Furthermore the Pale-naped Brush-Finch is entirely yellow below from throat to vent, with a greenish wash to the flanks and vent. But as mentioned above there is some variation. The northern form in the Venezuelan Andes and E Andes of Colombia (pallidinucha) is bright with the tawny anterior on the crown stripe; the southern papallactae from the C Andes of Colombia south to northernmost Peru is duller below, much more olive with brighter yellow restricted to the throat and breast, it has a yellowish anterior to the crown stripe.

18 cm; 21·4–40·2 g. A relatively large-headed brush-finch with high rounded crown , and relatively thick but short and pointed bill . Nominate race has broad pale cinnamon central stripe from forehead to mid-crown, becoming white on hindcrown and nape, contrasting with black side of head; upperparts dark slate-grey, upperwing and tail blackish; throat bright yellow, this colour extending to breast and belly, washed olivaceous to grey on sides, flanks and undertail-coverts; iris dark chestnut; bill black; legs pinkish-dusky. Sexes alike. Juvenile is duller than adult, washed brownish above, narrowly streaked on crown, and streaked dusky on breast. Race <em>papallactae</em> has forehead very pale cinnamon or yellow, and olivaceous to grey wash of underparts extends to breast, isolating yellow throat, juvenile browner and with darker underparts than nominate.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Berries, such as those of Miconia or Ericaceae; also insects. Stomach contents have included seeds and other plant material, as well as insects. Tends to forage on ground or near ground, concealed in dense understorey and edges of thickets; often in shrubbery close to the ground. In pairs and family groups; often joins mixed-species foraging flocks.

Territorial song in N Peru noted as a musical and whistled “wheet-tew-tew-tew”; one vocalization a rapidly delivered cacophony of sweet, strident, buzzy and high notes, and single individuals give slightly slower song reminiscent of a siskin (Carduelis) owing to frequent repetition of notes; chatter-duet more complex, very hard to describe, mixes notes of various types in quick succession. Call a high-pitched soft “tip”; also a nasal “pffe”, repeated several times.

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.