Habitat
Arid montane scrub, including dense herbaceous scrub, small Acacia, various cacti, and numerous terrestrial bromeliads, open Acacia woodland, grass and thorny scrub, but no cacti or bromeliads, and dense, thorny hedgerows. From 1,800 - 2,600 m.
North-western Peru, very locally in north-eastern Piura, central Cajamarca and north-eastern La Libertad.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 2,500 - 9,999 (2010) and stable.
Status LC
Habitat destruction and degradation through clearance for cultivation and pasture is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
A series of sharp whistles consisting of thee parts: an introductory ascending triplet of whistles (0.5 seconds duration) followed by three slower descending whistles (1 second duration) and a closing short trill of 0.5 seconds.
Similar Species
Great Inca-finch (Incaspiza pulchra) and Rufous-backed Inca-finch (Incaspiza personata) both have rufous on mantle and wings, and slightly differently-marked face patterns.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet