Raimondi's Yellow-Finch Sicalis raimondii

The Raimondi's Yellow-Finch is restricted to the west coast of central and southern Peru. Although this region is relatively accessible, unlike many portions of Andean and Amazonian Peru, the Raimondi's Yellow-Finch remains very poorly known. For decades, in fact, raimondii was classified as only a subspecies of the widespread Grassland Yellow-Finch (Sicalis luteola), until it was demonstrated that both species are present in western Peru. The two species rarely if ever occur together, however: Grassland Yellow-Finch is found in pastures and marshes, whereas Raimondi's Yellow-Finch occupies arid rocky slopes and cactus "forests." Raimondi's is grayer than Grassland, and in particular has gray (not yellow-green or tawny) auriculars and narrow gray (not yellow-green) margins to remiges. In the nonbreeding season, Raimondi's Yellow-Finches form large flocks, and may be nomadic.