Photo: Francesco Veronesi from Italy / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-headed Brushfinch
Atlapetes albiceps
White-headed Brushfinch (Atlapetes albiceps) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The White-headed Brushfinch (Atlapetes albiceps) is a member of the Passerellidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 37 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Passerellidae New World Sparrows
- Genus Atlapetes
- Species albiceps
Quick facts
- Weight
- 37 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-headed Brushfinch is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The White-headed Brushfinch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-headed Brushfinch (Atlapetes albiceps) is a member of the Passerellidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA far sw Ecuador and nw Peru.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 37 g, with a wing length of about 7.3 cm and a tail of around 7.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 26,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-headed Brushfinch?
The White-headed Brushfinch is a small bird that weighs around 37 g.
Where does the White-headed Brushfinch live?
The White-headed Brushfinch is found across South America with a range covering SA far sw Ecuador and nw Peru, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the White-headed Brushfinch belong to?
The White-headed Brushfinch (Atlapetes albiceps) belongs to the Passerellidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the White-headed Brushfinch eat?
The White-headed Brushfinch is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the White-headed Brushfinch migrate?
The White-headed Brushfinch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-headed Brushfinch endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the White-headed Brushfinch make?
1 real field recording of the White-headed Brushfinch — including its duet — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the White-headed Brushfinch's range?
The White-headed Brushfinch has a mapped global range of about 26,000 km².
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 Passerellidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
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.