Raimondi's Yellow-Finch Sicalis raimondii Scientific name definitions

The Raimondi's Yellow-Finch is restricted to the west coast of central and southern Peru and extreme northern Chile. 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, it 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 Yellow-Finch is grayer than Grassland Yellow-Finch, and in particular has gray (not yellow-green or tawny) auriculars and narrow gray (not yellow-green) margins to remiges. In the nonbreeding season, the Raimondi's Yellow-Finch forms large flocks and may be nomadic.