Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)
Grey-hooded Sierra-finch (Phrygilus gayi) - HBW 16, p. 606
French: Phrygile à tête grise
German: Kordillerenämmerling
Spanish: Yal Cabecigrís
Other common names: Southern Hooded Sierra-finch
Taxonomy: Fringilla gayi Gervais, 1834, Chile.
Molecular-genetic studies indicate that genus belongs in tanager family (Thraupidae). Present species may form a superspecies with P. atriceps, P. punensis and P. patagonicus (the “hooded” group), and molecular data suggest that this group may be closely related to Sicalis. Has been considered conspecific with P. atriceps, but the two rarely hybridize in area of NC Chile (between Atacama and Coquimbo) where they are sympatric (only one hybrid specimen known, from Guatín, in Antofagasta); sometimes thought conspecific with P. punensis, which it res.. View all taxonomy...
Molecular-genetic studies indicate that genus belongs in tanager family (Thraupidae). Present species may form a superspecies with P. atriceps, P. punensis and P. patagonicus (the “hooded” group), and molecular data suggest that this group may be closely related to Sicalis. Has been considered conspecific with P. atriceps, but the two rarely hybridize in area of NC Chile (between Atacama and Coquimbo) where they are sympatric (only one hybrid specimen known, from Guatín, in Antofagasta); sometimes thought conspecific with P. punensis, which it resembles in appearance. Range overlaps with that of P. patagonicus in various sites in Andes and NW Tierra del Fuego; some evidence of hybridization in latter, but the two species generally remain separate, and occupy different habitats. Small coastal race minor exhibits some plumage features intermediate between present species and P. patagonicus, and may be better included in latter on basis of its preference for forest or forest-edge habitat. Nominate race in extreme N of range has particularly large bill, suggesting clinal variation in bill size. Three subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- gayi (Gervais, 1834) - N & C Chile from Antofagasta S to Ñuble.
- minor R. A. Philippi [Bañados] & Goodall, 1957 - coastal range in NC Chile from Atacama S to Valparaíso.
- caniceps Burmeister, 1860 - W Argentina (S from W Salta) and S Chile (S from Aysen) S to Tierra del Fuego.
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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A male and female feeding on the ground. Locality Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Paul Clarke 6 January 2011 49 weeks ago 18 sec 3.9 -
A male perched and showing pollen discolouration on its forehead after feeding on flowers Locality El Yeso, Chile (ssp caniceps)
Greg Baker 5 November 2011 5 weeks ago 22 sec 3.7 -
A male singing from a stone wall and flying away Locality El Yeso, Chile (ssp gayi)
Josep del Hoyo 13 October 2003 7 years ago 35 sec 3.5 -
A female feeding on a discarded banana skin Locality El Yeso, Chile (ssp caniceps)
Greg Baker 5 November 2011 4 weeks ago 31 sec 3.5 -
A male feeding on blooms from a flowering bush Locality Farellones, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile (ssp caniceps)
Greg Baker 6 November 2011 3 weeks ago ADDED LAST MONTH 47 sec 3 -
A male singing and feeding Locality El Yeso, Chile (ssp gayi)
Josep del Hoyo 13 October 2003 7 years ago 32 sec 2.7
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A male sitting on rock.
Locality El Yeso, Chile
Ken Havard 4 November 2006 1 year ago 3.3 -
A female perched on bush
Locality Puerto Madryn, Chubut Province, Argentina
Eduardo de Juana 29 September 2008 2 years ago 3 -
singing in the top a tree
Locality Canyon Olivari, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
dreyernp 17 November 2008 1 year ago 2.6 -
on a rock
Locality Torres del Paine National Park, Magallanes Region, Chile
oleicfrisbee 35 weeks ago 2
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Song from post in a pine tree Locality Canyon Olivari, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
dreyernp 17 November 2008 1 year ago 4 -
Male song Locality Mendoza Province, Argentina
Nacho Areta 1 December 2007 2 years ago 3
