Yellow-thighed brushfinch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yellow-thighed brushfinch |
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| In Costa Rica | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Atlapetes
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| Species: |
tibialis
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The yellow-thighed brushfinch (scientific name: Atlapetes tibialis) is a cool little bird. It's a type of passerine bird, which means it's a perching bird. You can only find this bird in the high mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama.
Even though its name has "finch" in it, it's not a true finch. It actually belongs to a family called Passerellidae. This family also includes birds you might know, like American sparrows, juncos, and towhees.
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Meet the Yellow-Thighed Brushfinch
This bird is quite common in its mountain home. It likes wet mountain forests and areas where new plants are growing. You can often spot it near bamboo clumps, bushy clearings, and even scrubby pastures.
They usually live at high altitudes, from about 1,700 meters (about 5,600 feet) up to the tree line. When it's not breeding season, some might fly down to about 1,200 meters (about 3,900 feet) on the Caribbean side of the mountains.
What Do They Look Like?
The yellow-thighed brushfinch is a medium-sized bird with a long tail. It's about 18.5 centimeters (7.3 inches) long and weighs around 31 grams (about 1 ounce).
Most of its body is dark grey. Its head, throat, wings, and tail are black. Its belly and chest have a slight olive-green color. The most special part of this bird is its bright yellow thighs! These yellow patches stand out against its dark feathers. This is how it got both its English and scientific names.
Young yellow-thighed brushfinches look a bit different. Their feathers are duller and more sooty-colored. Their undersides have a brownish tone, and their thighs are olive-brown instead of bright yellow.
Sounds and Songs
The yellow-thighed brushfinch has a distinct call. It sounds like a heavy, metallic "tchuk!" When a pair of these birds greets each other, they make a soft, twittering, tinkling sound.
The male bird has a unique song. It's made up of high, dry notes. You might hear something like "tee tididee dee wink wink," or similar phrases.
What Do They Eat?
These birds are not picky eaters! They look for food at all levels, from the tops of trees down to the ground. Their diet includes insects and spiders, which they hunt for. They also love to eat many different kinds of berries. Sometimes, they even squeeze nectar from flowers to get a sweet treat.
You'll often see yellow-thighed brushfinches in pairs or small family groups. They also join up with other small birds, like warblers, in what are called mixed-species feeding flocks. These groups forage for food together. These birds can be quite friendly and easy to approach.
Reproduction and Nests
When it's time to build a home, the female yellow-thighed brushfinch does all the work. She builds a bulky, cup-shaped nest. She uses plant materials to make it strong and cozy.
The nest is usually hidden well. She places it in thick grasses, bamboo, or a tree with lots of leaves. The nests are built anywhere from 0.7 to 4.6 meters (about 2 to 15 feet) above the ground.
The female lays two eggs. These eggs are usually white or pale blue with brown spots. She then sits on the eggs to keep them warm, a process called incubation. This takes about 12 to 14 days before the little chicks hatch.
