Peg-billed Finch Acanthidops bairdi Scientific name definitions

The Peg-billed Finch is an unusual bird with an unusual name. The bill shape is rather odd, being slightly upturned and suggesting a flowerpiercer (Diglossa spp.). The bill is also strongly bicolored, black above and yellow-orange on the mandible, further accentuating its peculiar shape. Male Peg-billed Finches are all gray, while the female is more olive-brown above, paler below and showing striking cinnamon wingbars. This tanager-finch (it is in the tanager group) is found in moist thickets, mainly those with ample coverage of bamboo. It forages for nectar in flowers, and gleans insects, as well as taking seeds. It is particularly fond of bamboo seeds, but these only occur sporadically during mass flowering of bamboo. The Peg-billed Finch is largely restricted to highlands of Costa Rica, although it is also found in adjacent westernmost Panama.

Highlands of Costa Rica (S from Cordillera Guanacaste) and W Panama (W Chiriquí).

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.