Red-backed Sierra Finch
Idiopsar dorsalis
Red-backed Sierra Finch (Idiopsar dorsalis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Red-backed Sierra Finch (Idiopsar dorsalis) is a member of the Thraupidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 38.1 g.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Thraupidae Tanagers & Allies
- Genus Idiopsar
- Species dorsalis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 38.1 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Red-backed Sierra Finch is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Red-backed Sierra Finch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Red-backed Sierra Finch (Idiopsar dorsalis) belongs to the Thraupidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA n Chile and s Bolivia to nw Argentina.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 38.1 g, with a wing length of about 9.9 cm and a tail of around 6.5 cm.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Red-backed Sierra Finch?
The Red-backed Sierra Finch is a small bird that weighs around 38.1 g.
Where does the Red-backed Sierra Finch live?
The Red-backed Sierra Finch is found across South America with a range covering SA n Chile and s Bolivia to nw Argentina, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Red-backed Sierra Finch belong to?
The Red-backed Sierra Finch (Idiopsar dorsalis) belongs to the Thraupidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Red-backed Sierra Finch eat?
The Red-backed Sierra Finch is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Red-backed Sierra Finch migrate?
The Red-backed Sierra Finch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
What sound does the Red-backed Sierra Finch make?
1 real field recording of the Red-backed Sierra Finch — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Thraupidae
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.
Meet the Thraupidae
A field guide to the Thraupidae family — 394 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.