Moustached brushfinch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moustached brushfinch |
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Atlapetes
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| Species: |
albofrenatus
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The moustached brushfinch (Atlapetes albofrenatus) is a cool bird that lives in the mountains of northern Colombia. It's part of the Passerellidae family, which includes many types of New World sparrows. This bird gets its name from the white stripes on its face that look a bit like a mustache! It likes to live in moist mountain forests, even if they've been changed by people.
Contents
About the Moustached Brushfinch
Who Discovered This Bird?
The moustached brushfinch was first officially described in 1840. A French bird expert named Auguste Boissonneau gave it its scientific name, Tanagra (arremon) albo-frenatus. He thought it was a type of tanager bird back then.
Family Tree: Relatives of the Moustached Brushfinch
Scientists study the DNA of birds to learn about their families. Studies show that the moustached brushfinch is closely related to two other birds:
- The Ochre-breasted brushfinch, found in Colombia and Venezuela.
- The Santa Marta brushfinch, which only lives in Colombia.
Some bird checklists, like eBird/Clements, think the Merida brushfinch from Venezuela is a subspecies of the moustached brushfinch. This means they are very similar, almost like different versions of the same bird. However, other big bird groups, like the International Ornithological Congress, think the moustached brushfinch is unique and doesn't have any subspecies.
What Does the Moustached Brushfinch Look Like?
Like other Atlapetes birds, the moustached brushfinch has a large head and a long tail. It's a type of New World sparrow.
Adult Birds
Adult moustached brushfinches are about 17.5 to 18 centimeters (about 7 inches) long. They weigh around 30 grams, which is about the same as a few quarters.
- Body Colors: Their upper parts are mostly olive green. Their chest, belly, and bottom (vent) are a bright yellow. Their sides are yellow with a bit of green.
- Head Pattern: This bird has a very noticeable head! It has a bright reddish-brown cap on its head and neck. Its forehead is black, and it has a black mask that goes from its eyes all the way to the back of its neck.
- "Mustache" Stripes: The throat and the stripes on its cheeks (malar stripes) are white. These white stripes are separated by black lines. Sometimes, you can see the white stripe extending almost to the back of its neck.
- Other Features: Its beak is black, and its eyes are red or reddish-brown. Its legs and toes are brownish-grey or pinkish-grey.
Young Birds (Juveniles)
Young moustached brushfinches look a bit different from the adults.
- They are brownish-olive on top.
- Their underside is dull olive-yellow with faint streaks.
- The "mustache" area is dull yellow, and the white stripe isn't as clear.
- Their mask and sides of the head are duller blackish.
- Their crown (top of the head) is olive to brownish-olive, not the bright reddish-brown of the adults.
Similar Birds
The Merida brushfinch from Venezuela looks a lot like the moustached brushfinch. But you can tell them apart because the Merida brushfinch has a yellow throat, a lighter reddish-brown cap, and a wider white "mustache" stripe.
Where Do Moustached Brushfinches Live?
The moustached brushfinch only lives in the Eastern Andes mountains of Colombia. This means it's an "endemic" species, found nowhere else in the world!
- Location: Its home stretches from just south of Bogotá up to the Santander Department. It seems to live in a few separate areas rather than being spread out everywhere.
- Altitude: These birds usually live in high places, between 1,400 and 2,500 meters (about 4,600 to 8,200 feet) above sea level. Sometimes, they can be seen as low as 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet).
- Migration: The moustached brushfinch is a "resident" bird, which means it doesn't migrate or fly to different places during the year. It stays in its home territory.
What Kind of Habitat Do They Like?
These birds love to live in thick forests in subtropical areas. They can be found in:
- Cloud forests (forests often covered in clouds).
- Elfin forests (small, stunted forests).
- Forests with lots of oak trees.
- Areas with dry, thorny bushes.
They are quite tough and can even live in places where the habitat has been disturbed by humans. You might find them in dense plants at the edges of forests that are growing back.
Moustached Brushfinch Behavior and Life
How They Behave
Moustached brushfinches are quick birds! They usually move around inside thick bushes and plants. Sometimes, they pop out into more open spots. They often look for food close to the ground, usually less than 10 meters (about 33 feet) high. You might see them alone, in pairs, or in small family groups.
What Do They Eat?
Their diet includes:
- Insects
- Seeds
- Fruit
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Scientists haven't studied the breeding habits of the moustached brushfinch very much. The only clue we have is that a young bird was seen near Soatá in January. This suggests that these birds might breed around December or January.
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) lists the moustached brushfinch as a "Least Concern" species. This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
- Population: No one has done a full study to count how many moustached brushfinches there are. However, since there's no sign of their numbers dropping or any big threats, their population is thought to be stable.
- Conservation Efforts: There aren't any special conservation plans just for this bird right now.
Images for kids
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A moustached brushfinch in Santander Department, Colombia.
