LivingInPatagonia.com

Comesebo andino

Written by Shanie

The Comesebo andino, or Patagonian Sierra Finch (Phrygilus gayi), is a cute, happy little bird that graces the South America region from central Chile and Argentina down into the Patagonian Andes with its positivity.

Known to enjoy open areas, they are perfectly adapted to the Patagonia natural environment. From the rocky plateaus of the giant Andean mountains to the open steppe, Comesebo andinos are a fun addition to Lakes District bird watching.

Although these little chatter-boxes tend to fly north with the cold winter temperatures, we have had a couple adventurous finches enjoying the hummingbird feeder with the picaflores that have decided to wait out the mild winter as well.

In fact, they are passing up the sun flower seeds for some sweet nectar, an interesting aspect to their personality. They have also been seen in the wild sharing the sweet love from flowers with hummingbirds.

In distinguishing the sexes the males coloring is much more bold. Their head and wings are a matching charcoal gray with a robust mustard yellow covering their chest, belly, back and shoulders. The females, in contrast, are much duller in shading and have less yellow, as well as black and white malar markings.

In watching the Lakes District’s bird life for the last few years, the hummingbirds have often had a bully that tries to dominate the feeder. It is interesting to watch how the finch is able to work his magic and side-wind into the hummingbird feeder lineup.

Their positivity must be rubbing off on the little bully picaflor.