Plain-tailed warbling finch

The plain-tailed warbling finch (Microspingus alticola) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is endemic to Peru.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Taxonomy
The plain-tailed warbling finch was described in 1895 by English ornithologist Osbert Salvin from a specimen collected by Oscar Theodor Baron near the town of Huamachuco in La Libertad, Peru. He originally described it in the genus Poospiza, but it was later moved to Microspingus. It is monotypic.

Description
The Plain-tailed warbling finch is a small bird weight 24-28g. It has a grey back, wings and tail, a white breast and belly with tawny flanks and undertail covert, with a rufous malar stripe, a white moustache and supercilium, variably yellow lores, and a black cheek and crown with a slaty cap.