Southern Peru (highlands of Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna) south through highlands of south-western Bolivia to northern Chile (from highlands of eastern Arica-Parinacota south to Baños de Toro, in northern Coquimbo) and north-western Argentina (south to Catamarca).
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Black-hooded Sierra Finch (Phrygilus atriceps) [XC372126]
by id from Putre, XV Region, Chile (song)
Black-hooded Sierra Finch (Phrygilus atriceps) [XC95475]
by Yoann Blanchon from Azul Pampa, Jujuy, Argentina (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Molecular-genetic studies indicate that genus belongs in tanager family (Thraupidae). May form a superspecies with Peruvian Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus punensis), Grey-hooded Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus gayi) and Patagonian Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus patagonicus) (the "hooded" group), and molecular data suggest that this group may be closely related to Sicalis. Has been considered conspecific with Grey-hooded Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus gayi), but the two rarely hybridize in area of north-central Chile (between Atacama and Coquimbo) where they are sympatric (only one hybrid specimen known, from Guatín, in Antofagasta). Geographical variation minimal. Individuals from central Bolivia south to north-western Argentina slightly longer-billed than others, but difference likely clinal variation, also males from north-western Bolivian Altiplano (Sajama) said to be particularly black-winged.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet