New Bird Sub-species in Colombia

Posted by Rosemary Drisdelle Oct 23, 2006

High atop the Andes, in a patch of undisturbed Andean cloud forest, researchers have found another bird that has never been described before. The identification of the Yellow and Red-crowned Yariguíes Brush-finch (Altapetes latinuchus yariguíerum) was published in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club. The name Yariguíes refers to an indigenous tribe that used to live in the area.

The Yellow and Red-crowned Yariguíes Brush-finch, or Yariguíes Brush-finch has a bright yellow breast, a black back and a striking red crown. A closely related brush-finch, the Yellow-breasted Brush-finch has a lighter back and white markings on the wings that the new sub-species lacks.

The bird appears to be relatively rare and restricted to high elevations in the Andes. Because of its limited habitat and the threat of habitat loss, it is already considered “near threatened.” Fortunately, the recent designation of the Cerulean Warbler Bird Reserve within its range should help.

Other recently described birds:

Indigenous Crossbill for Scotland

A New Species: The Bugun Liocichla