Rufous-eared Brushfinch Atlapetes rufigenis

Rufous-eared Brush-Finch is a Peruvian endemic. Until recently Apurimac Brush-Finch (Atlapetes forbesi) of south central Peru was included as a disjunct subspecies, but the two are now classified as separate species. The Rufous-eared Brush-Finch is restricted to a relatively small region of the Andes of northern Peru, primarily on both sides of the upper Marañón Valley, but locally occurring on the Pacific slope as well. This brush-finch occupies dense undergrowth and shrubbery in patches of woodland, primarily Polylepis forest, as well as tree line shrubbery from 3200 – 4600 meters in elevation. It forages at or near the ground, usually below eye level in undergrowth; also crawls about on thick moss-covered branches in montane forests. Rufous-eared Brush-Finch is a striking species, largely grayish above, with a contrasting rusty head. The face is adorned by a pale patch above the lores, and a bold white submoustachial streak that is bordered below by a dark lateral throat stripe. The throat is whitish, but the breast and flanks also are grayish. Although Rufous-eared Brush-Finch is not rare, the natural history of this attractive sparrow is very poorly known.