Geospizopsis sp. (Seven lakes of Ausangate, Cusco, Peru) (1 Viewer)

[SLopezM]

Hello everyone! I saw these two different birds on March 6th on the tour of the seven lakes of Ausangate (Cusco, Peru). I think they both belong to the genus Geospizopsis and, more specifically, that they are both ash-breasted sierra finches (Geospizopsis plebejus). However, I also consider them to be plumbeous sierra finches (Geospizopsis unicolor) as a possible option.

What do you think? Keep in mind that these are two different specimens and that each was seen at a different point along the route.

 

[nartreb]

Both photos show a contrastingly-pale breast/belly, and a bit of contrast on the face (e.g., cap is darker than eyebrow), and a steep forehead that enhances the impression of a small bill. That's all much better for ash-breasted than for plumbeous. Photo 2.jpg also shows streaking on the back, eliminating plumbeous. I might be overlooking some other species that's an even better fit, but between those two I would eliminate plumbeous.

 

[THE_FERN]

Ash-breasted sierra finches, a species which (iirc) isn't well illustrated in standard guides