Choco Brush Finch

The Choco Brush-Finch (Atlapetes crassus) is a medium-sized passerine bird in the family Passerellidae, endemic to the humid forests of the Chocó biogeographic region of northwestern Colombia, with possible occurrence into adjacent Ecuador. Brush-finches of the genus Atlapetes are characterised by their boldly patterned plumage — typically combining black, white, yellow, or rufous on the head and underparts — their stout bills adapted for seed cracking and invertebrate foraging, and their tendency to forage in pairs or small groups in dense undergrowth and at forest edges. The Choco Brush-Finch inhabits humid montane and foothill forest understory, particularly in areas with dense shrubbery, bamboo thickets, and secondary growth, at elevations roughly between 400 and 1,700 metres. It forages terrestrially and in low vegetation for seeds, fruit, and invertebrates. Like most Atlapetes species, it produces a musical territorial song used to defend year-round territories. The IUCN classifies this species as Least Concern. The Chocó is one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots and has high rates of endemism, but continuing deforestation for agriculture and ranching remains the primary long-term threat to species dependent on this humid forest ecosystem.