(Long shot) Chilean Songbird (1 Viewer)

rylirk

Well-known member

• Feb 21, 2020

• #1

Hi all. Terrible pics and I don't expect an ID, but I'm wondering if anyone could at least narrow this down to family? The bird was singing; I didn't get a recording unfortunately, but I might be able to ID its song given a few options. La Silla Observatory today, mountains on the Coquimbo/Atacama border

 

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pbjosh

missing the neotropics

• Feb 22, 2020

• #2

Based on location looks like it could be a Sicalis spp (Greater, Greenish, or Grassland Yellowfinch), a House Sparrow, or a Gray-headed Sierra-Finch.

 

rylirk

Well-known member

• Feb 22, 2020

• #3

Definitely not house sparrow. From what I remember of the song, either Greater or Grassland Yellowfinch would be good fits (Greenish is not expected in Coquimbo province apparently). Leaning towards Greater. Which would be more expected in a high desert environment? I'm guessing the Grassland yellowfinch prefers grassland?

 

rylirk

Well-known member

• Feb 22, 2020

• #4

From the song recordings, I'm leaning more towards Grassland. Greater sounds like it has an urgent-sounding and scratchy call, whereas the bird I heard had a very calm and sweet call.

 

pbjosh

missing the neotropics

• Feb 22, 2020

• #5

Based on what I assume the environment is like there, I would agree Grassland YF should be less likely. I should think the Gray-headed SF, Greenish and Greater YF are all about equally likely. Not sure why Greenish isn't expected there, appears to be well within range and I see eBird records fairly widely distributed around that area.

Shy of having a recording or better photo, I wouldn't ID this to species personally.

 

rylirk

Well-known member

• Feb 22, 2020

• #6

I'm hoping the bird returns tonight, leaving it as 'yellowfinch sp.' for now. Feel quite happy ruling out the sierra-finch based on song and the few colour details in the terrible photos.