Plumbeous Sierra Finch? Peru (1 Viewer)

Thei inca subspecies of Plumbeous Sierra Finch male and females are supposed to be very similar. HBW writes 'nearly sexually monomorphic'

These are two photos from a bog at 4500m near Arequipa.

This must be an immature? Seems very streaked for 'inca'. Wrong habitat and streaked throat for Ash-throated.
http://www.birdphotos.com/photos/index.php?q=gallery&g2_itemId=259640

And this is a male or female? The brownish wing doesn't fit any images or text I've come across.
http://www.birdphotos.com/photos/index.php?q=gallery&g2_itemId=259636

thanks!!
Tom Friedel

Although my field experience of this species is restricted to Colombia, I think these look fine for PSF.

My images of male and female from Colombia are here, for comparison.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126819682@N04/albums/72157645875443057/with/14676600868/

Stu

The inca subspecies is supposed to be different. I am also more familiar with the Colombian birds, and didn't even know about this race until I came across it in the Birds of Peru and HBW. HBW looks like they might split it one day because they call it the Peruvian Plumbeous Sierra Finch.

TomFriedel said:

And this is a male or female? The brownish wing doesn't fit any images or text I've come across.
http://www.birdphotos.com/photos/index.php?q=gallery&g2_itemId=259636

thanks!!
Tom Friedel

Click to expand...

The brownish wing is age related. The body feathers, being recently moulted, look fresh/new. Most wing and tail feathers look worn/old. These worn looking feathers are most probably retained juvenile feathers. Can't say if it's a male or a female though.