Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Bright-rumped Yellow-finch (Sicalis uropigyalis) - HBW 16, p. 631

French: Sicale à croupion jaune German: Goldbürzel-Gilbammer Spanish: Chirigüe Culigualdo

Taxonomy: Emberiza uropigyalis d’Orbigny and Lafresnaye, 1837, Bolivia.
Molecular-genetic data suggest that genus is most closely related to the “hooded” group of sierra-finches (Phrygilus atriceps, Phrygilus punensis, Phrygilus gayi and Phrygilus patagonicus); also, that it belongs within the tanager family (Thraupidae). Proposed race connectens, described from upper Urubamba Valley (Cuzco), in S Peru, doubtfully distinct from nominate, with which synonymized. Species name often altered to “uropygialis”, but this is an unjustified emendation. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • sharpei (Berlepsch & Stolzmann, 1894) - W & C Peru from Cajamarca S to Junín.
  • uropigyalis (d’Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837) - SE Peru (Puno) and highlands of Bolivia S to N Chile (Arica–Parinacota, Tarapacá and Antofagasta) and NW Argentina (Salta, Jujuy and Tucumán).