Glacier Finch
Idiopsar speculifer
Glacier Finch (Idiopsar speculifer) — 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 Glacier Finch (Idiopsar speculifer) is a member of the Thraupidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 36.8 g.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Thraupidae Tanagers & Allies
- Genus Idiopsar
- Species speculifer
Where it lives
Central and southern Peru to northern Chile, northwestern Argentina, and western Bolivia
Quick facts
- Weight
- 36.8 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Glacier Finch is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Glacier Finch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Glacier Finch (Idiopsar speculifer) belongs to the Thraupidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA c and s Peru to n Chile, nw Argentina, and w Bolivia.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 36.8 g, with a wing length of about 11.6 cm and a tail of around 7.5 cm.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Glacier Finch?
The Glacier Finch is a small bird that weighs around 36.8 g.
Where does the Glacier Finch live?
The Glacier Finch is found across South America with a range covering SA c and s Peru to n Chile, nw Argentina, and w Bolivia, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Glacier Finch belong to?
The Glacier Finch (Idiopsar speculifer) belongs to the Thraupidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Glacier Finch eat?
The Glacier Finch is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Glacier Finch migrate?
The Glacier Finch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
What sound does the Glacier Finch make?
1 real field recording of the Glacier 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.
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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.