The moustached brushfinch was first formally described in 1940 by the French ornithologist Auguste Boissonneau. He named it Tanagra (arremon) albo-frenatus, considering it to be part of the Tanager family.[2]
A recent study of the mitochondrial DNA gene sequences for the family Passerellidae indicates that the moustached brushfinch is most closely related to the Ochre-breasted brushfinch, found in Colombia and Venezuela, and the Santa Marta brushfinch, endemic to Colombia.[5]
Description
Like most Atlapetes species, the moustached brushfinch is a large-headed, long-tailed New World sparrow.
Adult. Adults are between 17.5 and 18cm in length, and weigh approximately 30g. Their upper parts are mostly olive green, with the primaries and tail being black tinged with olive. The breast, belly and vent are deep yellow, while the flanks are yellow with a greenish wash.
The species has a striking head pattern, with a bright chestnut-rufous cap and nape, black forehead, and an all black mask extending from the lores to the nape. The throat and malar stripes are white, separated by black submalars. In some poses the white malar stripe can be seen to extend almost to the nape.[6][7][8][9]
The bill is black, the irises are red or reddish brown, and the tarsi and toes are brownish grey or pinkish grey.[7]
Juvenile. Brownish olive above, dusky olive yellowish below with faint streaking. The moustachial area is dull yellow with a weakly formed malar stripe. The mask and sides of the head are duller blackish or dusky, and the crown is olive to brownish olive (not chestnut).[7]
Similar species. The plumage of the merida brushfinch of Venezuela is distinguished from that of the moustached brushfinch by its yellow throat, a lighter crown described as cinnamon-rufous, a broader white malar stripe with a narrow black submalar, and a much narrower area of black on the forehead.[7][9][10]
Distribution and habitat
The moustached brushfinch is endemic to Colombia’s Eastern Andes. Its range extends from just south of Bogotá to Santander. It appears to be localized in several disjunct areas rather than being widely distributed within the overall range. It is a species of the upper tropical and subtropical zones, and thus typically occurs between 1400 and 2500m in altitude, although it has been seen as low as 1000m. The species is resident (i.e. non-migratory).
The species inhabits the borders, undergrowth and midstory of thick subtropical cloud, elfin, and oak-dominated forests, as well as tangles of dry, thorny, scrubby brush. It is tolerant of disturbed habitat, and can be found in dense foliage on the borders of regenerating secondary forest.[8][7][10][9][6]
Behaviour and ecology
Behaviour. Moustached brushfinches normally move around quickly inside dense tangles of brush, with occasional visits to more exposed positions. They have been observed foraging, mainly close to the ground (<10m), as single birds, in pairs, and in what appear to be small family groups.[10]
Breeding. The breeding behaviour of the species has not been studied. The only relevant observation that has been recorded is that of an immature bird seen near Soatá in January, suggesting that breeding takes place in the December/January period.[11]
Status
The IUCN rates the species as Least Concern. No studies have been conducted the size of the population, but in the absence of evidence of significant declines in numbers or substantial threats its population is assessed as stable. No conservation measures specific to this species are in place.[1]
The chestnut-capped brushfinch, is a Neotropical passerine bird in the New World sparrow Passerellidae
Atlapetes is a genus of birds in the New World sparrow family Passerellidae. The species are mainly found in montane forest from Mexico to northwestern Argentina.
The white-naped brushfinch, also known as the yellow-throated brush finch, is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae.
The Cuzco brushfinch, also known as the grey brushfinch or sooty brushfinch, is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It is endemic to humid Andean forest in southeastern Peru, where mainly found in Cusco. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the slaty brushfinch.
The yellow-headed brushfinch is a Near Threatened species of bird in the American sparrow family, Passerellidae. It is endemic to Colombia. The common name is a semi-literal translation of the scientific name, with Atlapetes referring to the brushfinch genus, and flaviceps meaning "yellow-headed".
The dusky-headed brushfinch is a species of bird in the family Emberizidae. It is found in the Andes of southwestern Colombia.
The white-rimmed brushfinch is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
The Santa Marta brushfinch is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Colombia).
The grey-eared brushfinch or black-faced brushfinch is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae.
The pale-naped brushfinch is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae.
The rufous-capped brushfinch is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It is endemic to Mexico.
The Bolivian brushfinch or rufous-naped brushfinch is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae.
The bay-crowned brushfinch is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae.
The whiskered wren is a species of bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
The Lita woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
The chestnut piculet is a species of bird in subfamily Picumninae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
The yellow-breasted brushfinch, also known as the cloud-forest brushfinch, is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of Atlapetes rufinucha.
The Merida brushfinch or Merida brush finch is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows. It is endemic to northwestern Venezuela.
The Choco brushfinch or Choco brush finch is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
The black-fronted brushfinch or black-fronted brush finch is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows. It is found in the Perijá Mountains of northern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela.
1 2 Restall, Robin; Rodner, Clemencia; Lentino, Miguel (2007). Birds of Northern South America: an Identification Guide Vol 1. New Haven: Yale University Press. p.712. ISBN978-0-300-10862-0.
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