Large-footed Finch
A species of Large-footed Finch Scientific name : Pezopetes capitalis Genus : Large-footed Finch
Large-footed Finch, A species of Large-footed Finch
Botanical name: Pezopetes capitalis
Genus: Large-footed Finch
Content
Description
Description
The large-footed finch (Pezopetes capitalis) is a passerine bird endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama. Despite its name, it is not a true finch, but rather a member of the large family Passerellidae, which also includes American sparrows, juncos and towhees. It is the only member of the genus Pezopetes. This is a common bird in the undergrowth of mountain forests, second growth, bamboo clumps, and scrubby pastures from 2150 m altitude to the scrubby páramo at 3350 m. It is readily seen in favoured sites such as Cerro de la Muerte. The nest, built by the female, is a large loose cup of plant material placed less than 2 m up in bamboo or a dense shrub. The typical clutch is one or two brown-marked white or blue-white eggs, which are incubated by the female alone for 12–14 days before hatching. The large-footed finch is a large, robust terrestrial species, 20 cm (7.9 in) long and weighing 56 g (2.0 oz). It has a slender bill, a modestly sized tail and very large and powerful feet and legs. This species is one of the heaviest in its diverse family. The adult has a slate grey head, becoming black on the throat, forehead and crown sides. The upper parts are dark olive and the wings and tail are black with olive fringes. The underparts are bright olive with a brown tint to the flanks and lower belly. Young birds have a streaked dark olive head, blackish scaling to the upperparts, and buff-olive underparts . The large-footed finch has a thin seet call, and the male's song, given from the ground or a low perch, consists of a mix or whistles, warbles, chatter and mimicry. The large-footed finch feeds on insects, spiders, and seeds, extracted from the leaf litter with powerful double scratches that can send debris flying up to 30 cm. It will also pick berries from low bushes. It is normally seen in pairs.
Size
20 cm
Feeding Habits
Large-footed Finch, known for its large feet, primarily consumes insects, seeds, fruits, and berries. Its foraging behavior includes ground feeding and pecking through leaf litter. Large-footed Finch showcases a unique adaptation for feeding on a variety of terrains due to its specialized foot morphology.
Habitat
The large-footed Finch is commonly found in a range of montane habitats, including brushy clearings, bamboo understories, and at the edges of montane evergreen forests. The species also thrives in bamboo-choked ravines, forest understories, areas of second growth, and brushy pastures within broader mountainous regions. This bird prefers regions with abundant vegetative cover, especially where bamboo is prominent, providing it with the necessary environment for foraging and breeding.
Dite type
Herbivorous
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
New world sparrows Genus
Large-footed Finch Species
Large-footed Finch