Habitat
Regenerating landslides and fallow fields, occurring in the transition between arid and humid areas with dense low scrub. From 1,650 - 1,950 m.
Habits
Usually seen in pairs, mainly foraging on and within 2 m of the ground.
Voice
Fairly high-pitched, 2-7 different phrases given at regular intervals of 7-14 s, virtually indistinguishable from song of White-winged Brush-finch (Atlapetes leucopterus). Interaction calls of the pair include a variety of fairly high-pitched notes by the male, and a low-pitched trill by the female. Contact calls very high-pitched.
Pale-headed Brushfinch (Atlapetes pallidiceps) [XC242195]
by Niels Krabbe from Azuay: upper Yunguilla Valley, Ecuador (call)
Pale-headed Brushfinch (Atlapetes pallidiceps) [XC17228]
by Jerome Fischer from Reserva Yunguilla, Azuay, Ecuador (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Buff stripes on whitish head and lack of black hindcrown and nape separates this species from similar White-headed Brush-finch (Atlapetes albiceps).
References
See References.