Sulphur-throated Finch Sicalis taczanowskii Scientific name definitions

Sometimes placed in the monotypic genus Gnathospiza on account of its relatively massive bill size, the somewhat sparrow-like Sulphur-throated Finch is a restricted-range endemic, confined largely to the coastal lowlands of the Tumbesian region of southwest Ecuador and northwest Peru. It forms large flocks, sometimes many hundreds strong, which form tight-knit flocks in flight, but become more dispersed when feeding on the ground. They prefer barren rocky areas or desert-like regions with low and usually sparse vegetation. The sexes are basically alike, principally grayish brown above, with a pale yellow throat, malar and supercilium the key features, and dull whitish below.

SW Ecuador (SW Guayas, El Oro and Loja) and NW Peru (lowlands of Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque and N La Libertad).

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.