- Sicalis luteocephala
Identification
13-14 cm
Upperside mostly greyish-brown with yellow on lesser and outer median and greater coverts, and yellow edges to primaries and secondaries, creating a yellow area in the folded wing. Sides of head, front, and upper throat and chin are yellow create a yellow face only disrupted by dark lores. Central breast, central belly and vent area yellow but sides of breast and flanks pale grey. Bill dark bluish-black, legs pink. Male and female similar except that female is duller and juvenile duller yet.
Similar species
Wings are shorter than in the Bright-rumped Yellow Finch
Distribution
South America: found in the highlands of Andean Bolivia and extreme north-western Argentina (Jujuy).
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
High-altitude shrubland, east of the puna and altiplano at elevations of 2500-3800 m asl. Frequently near agricultural areas and habitations.
Behaviour
Frequently in flocks either with same species or with other finch-like birds in the area. Seems to be colonial with breeding in rocky areas but also spending time under bridges etc. May retreat to those areas in the middle of the day presumably to escape from heat.
Diet
Feeds on the ground, presumably on seeds.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Schulenberg, T. S. (2020). Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch (Sicalis uropygialis), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.bryfin1.01
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Citron-headed Yellow Finch. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 March 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Citron-headed_Yellow_Finch
