Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Black-faced Brush-finch (Atlapetes melanolaemus) - HBW 16, p. 592

French: Tohi mélanien German: Schwarzgesicht-Buschammer Spanish: Atlapetes Carinegro
Other common names: Dark-faced Brush-finch

Taxonomy: Buarremon melanolaemus P. L. Sclater and Salvin, 1879, Cchachupata, Cuzco, Peru.
Often considered a race of A. latinuchus, and both were originally considered part of a wider complex that included also A. terborghi and A. rufinucha, although recent studies suggest that various components of this group may not be each other’s closest relatives. Present species likely closest to A. terborghi. One specimen of nominate race of A. rufinucha from La Paz (Bolivia) exhibits dark scalloping on breast, approaching present species; unclear if this is a variation in former species or due to gene flow between the two. Monotypic.

Distribution: SE Peru (E Cuzco and adjacent Puno) and adjacent W Bolivia (extreme N La Paz).