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NEW WORLD SPARROWS AND ALLIES (PASSERELLIDAE; 21+

SPECIES) Large New World family formerly merged with Emberizid buntings of the Old

World. Ages differ, attain adult appearance within a few weeks; sexes alike in Costa Rican

species. Numerous species formerly placed in this family are now considered to be tanagers.

Species of shady understory often best detected by voice.

LARGE-FOOTED FINCH  Pezopetes capitalis 19–20.5cm. Large, drab, rather

chunky ‘finch’ of humid highland forest, bamboo thickets, second growth,

overgrown pastures, gardens. Hops and bounds quickly on ground, and ‘jump-

kicks’ with both feet to dig in leaf litter; also ranges into fruiting bushes and low

trees. Sings from low perch or ground, at times in duet. Note large size, olive

body, black face and crown stripes—and it does have big feet. Cf. smaller, less

bulky brushfinches. SOUNDS: Varied, often strikingly noisy. Very high, thin sit

and t’sit; slightly grating, downslurred squeaky tsiin; high, thin, buzzy tszir can

be run into excited, squeaky gobbling chatters. Full song remarkable, an

unhurried but varied medley of rich chirps, whistles, gurgles, short trills, with phrases often repeated a few

times; varies from 1–3 secs between phrases to a more continuous stream; can include mimicry. Also a

simple, slightly tinny chirping chíliu or chi-i-lu, repeated or alternated every few secs. STATUS: Fairly

common to common in Central and Talamanca Mts., 2100–3300m. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)

YELLOW-THIGHED BRUSHFINCH (FINCH)  Atlapetes (Pselliophorus) tibia­

lis 17.5–18.5cm. Overall dark ‘finch’ of humid highland forest, bamboo

thickets, second growth, overgrown pastures. Usually in pairs or small groups,

foraging from ground to tree canopy, often relatively conspicuous at mid-levels;

at times with mixed flocks. Loosely flips long tail while hopping around. No

similar species in Costa Rica: puffy yellow thighs typically conspicuous,

otherwise dark slaty gray overall with variably contrasting blackish head. Imm.

duller overall, thighs pale olive and not striking. SOUNDS: Sharp, relatively low,

slightly metallic clucking tchek, may be repeated steadily; slightly gruff, sharp

metallic tink! Song a fairly rapid, chipping jangle, 1–2 secs, every few secs; longer, higher, and squeakier

jumbled chatters in duets, up to about 10 secs. STATUS: Fairly common to common, from timberline

down to 1500m in Northern Mts., down to 1700m in Central and Talamanca Mts., occasionally lower

on Caribbean slope. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)

*YELLOW-THROATED [WHITE-NAPED] BRUSHFINCH  Atlapetes [albinu­

cha] gutturalis 17–18.5cm. Handsome ‘finch’ of brushy highland pastures,

second growth, forest edge, hedgerows, gardens. Often in pairs or small groups,

mainly at low to mid-levels, at times hopping on ground. SOUNDS: High, thin,

slightly sibilant tssi, and downslurred t-ssi; excited bursts of fairly rapid, squeaky

chortling in duets, to 4 secs or longer. Song an unhurried series of varied, high,

slurred to slightly piercing short whistled phrases, such as tsiíu tsieh tsi tseíiu si-i

tsiu..., 1 phrase/0.5–1.5 secs; songs can be in groups of 2–3 phrases every few

secs or a steadier flow prolonged a min or longer, especially around dawn.

STATUS: Fairly common, mainly 900–2800m. (Mexico to S America.)