- Acanthidops bairdii
Identification
13.5 cm long and weighing 16 g. Long upturned bill, black upper mandible and yellow lower mandible. The adult male is slate grey, becoming paler on the belly. The female is olive-brown above, becoming paler belo, grey tinge to the head and upper back, cinnamon wing bars and buff supercilia. Young birds are similar to the female, but have paler plumage and weaker wing bars.
Distribution
Costa Rica and extreme western Panama.
Taxonomy
Despite its name, it is not a true finch, but now recognized as a member of the tanager family (Thraupidae), after being long placed in the Emberizidae. It is the only member of the genus Acanthidops.
Habitat
Mountain forests, bamboo clumps, and bushy pastures.
Behaviour
The female builds the nest, which is a cup of plant material. 4 eggs are laid which she incubates for 12-14 days to hatching.
Diet includes insects and spiders, grass and bamboo seeds, nectar from flowers and juice from berries.
