Large Warbling Finch, about 16–18 cm long, with a robust body and relatively long tail. The head and upperparts are slate gray, with a reddish forehead, a reddish line above the eye, and a conspicuous crescent of the same color below the eye. The throat and upper breast are orange-rufous, while the rest of the breast, flanks, and upper belly are gray; the lower belly is paler, and the undertail coverts are reddish again. The wings and tail are uniformly dark gray. The bill is relatively short and conical, bluish-gray in color and somewhat darker on the upper mandible, while the legs are grayish. The female is similar to the male but has a less extensive rufous area on the throat and breast. Juveniles are brownish-gray, with faint streaking on the back and belly.
Geographic Distribution: It is an almost endemic species of northwestern Argentina, with a small portion of its range extending into southern Bolivia. It was scientifically described in 1904 from specimens collected in Tucumán, a province where it is particularly characteristic, in areas such as the Cumbres Calchaquíes, Aconquija, and the Calchaquí Valleys. Knowledge of its distribution subsequently expanded, and it is now also known from Jujuy, Salta, Catamarca, and La Rioja.
Habitat: It inhabits mountain ranges between 2,800 and 3,400 m above sea level, on steep slopes with dense vegetation and among rocks, as well as in areas of high-elevation wet grasslands and dense shrublands of Baccharis sculpta and other species typical of the upper montane zone of the Yungas, between the upper limit of alder forests (Alnus) and queñoa forests (Polylepis). It is also found in high-elevation grasslands dominated by Festuca hieronymus, particularly in ravines crossed by rivers and streams, where it may occur above 3,000 m above sea level.
Diet: It forages for much of its food on the ground and among low vegetation. It feeds mainly on seeds and other plant resources, as well as small arthropods, especially during the breeding season. It generally forages in pairs and, outside the breeding season, may join mixed-species feeding flocks with other birds of montane environments.
Behavior: Generally moves by walking or making short hops among the ground, rocks, shrubs, and low to mid-level branches. It maintains an upright posture and appears confident but calm. It is usually observed in pairs, and pairs appear to remain together throughout the year. Its song consists of a series of short whistles of varying pitch. It also gives sharp contact calls (“sip”) and may produce a faster “tip-tip... tip... tip-tip” in alarm situations.
Nesting: Its breeding biology is still poorly known. Breeding has been recorded in January and February. Known nests were built in areas of dense vegetation; in Tucumán, nests were recorded concealed among shrubs, approximately 1 m above the ground. They were constructed from dry grasses, leaves and inflorescences of Festuca hieronymus, small twigs, and other plant material, with an inner lining of fine horsehair.
Conservation Status: Although it may be locally common in suitable areas, its populations are small and fragmented and are vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and degradation caused by livestock grazing, burning, and other alterations of high-elevation grasslands and forests. In Argentina, it is categorized as Threatened (AM), while at the international level it is currently categorized as Least Concern (LC).
Authors of this compilation: Diego Carus and Maria Belén Dri - 09/11/2025