Red-backed Sierra Finch Idiopsar dorsalis Scientific name definitions

The Red-backed Sierra Finch is very closely related, and sometimes treated as conspecific with the White-throated Sierra Finch (Phrygilus erythronotus). The Red-backed is the more easterly and southern component of this species pair. It is a gorgeous grey bird with a white throat and conspicuous and highly contrasting chestnut-red back. Red-backed Sierra Finches are not common, and like rocky slopes in the altiplano which are adjacent to a stream or bofedal wetlands. This is a quiet species, mainly giving short whistled contact calls. The song is unknown. The distribution of this species is unclear as juveniles of the White-throated Sierra Finch show a warm brownish back, and have been misidentified as Red-backed Sierra Finches. The main stronghold for this species is in the highlands of southern Bolivia, otherwise it is found with frequency at a couple of spots in northwestern Argentina and highlands of Antofagasta in Chile.

15 cm; 35·4–40·5 g. A stocky finch with thick and rather triangular-looking bill. Head and upper nape are blue-grey, usually speckled white below eye, mantle and upper back contrastingly brick-red, lower back, rump and uppertail-coverts grey (like head); upper­wing and tail blackish, in fresh plumage flight-feathers edged rusty; throat white, breast grey, flanks warmer with buff tone, belly whitish; iris dull reddish; bill and legs dark grey. Sexes alike. Juvenile is rather duller than adult, back browner and with obvious dark streaks.

N Chile (Andes of Tarapacá and Antofagasta), SW Bolivia (S from Oruro) and NW Argentina (Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán and Catamarca).

Typically found in bofedales (Altiplano wetlands, or “cushion bogs”) adjacent to dry rocky puna slopes, also moister patches of puna grassland interspersed with tola (Lepidophyllum quadrangulare). Appears to prefer drier sites than those occupied by E. erythronotus. Recorded at 3300–4500 m.

Little known. Diet largely seeds, also arthropods. Forages in pairs or family groups on ground ; often forages in crouched posture, with legs nearly hidden.

Song apparently remains unrecorded. Calls include a short “wheenk” and a nasal “phew”.

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.