Common Diuca-Finch

Diuca Común

Diuca diuca

Length: 180mm. Sexes slightly unlike. Male: bill dark grey above and pale blue grey on mandible; iris dark brown; upper part of head, auricular region, hind neck and above mostly bluish plumbeous grey; central tail feathers blackish, outer tail feathers blackish with bluish plumbeous grey margins and broad white terminal bar. Chin and throat white; upper breast forming a broad pectoral band; sides of breast and upper flanks bluish plumbeous grey; lower flanks ferruginous chestnut; remainder of breast and belly white; undertail feathers white stained ferruginous. Wing coverts as back; remiges blackish with bluish plumbeous grey margins. Legs grey.

Average weight: 39.5g. Female: upper part of head, above, flanks and wings brownish grey; lower flanks ferruginous, remainder same as male. On account of its coloration, size and habits it is easily distinguished. In flight the white terminal bar on the tail is very conspicuous. Habitat and behaviour: the Common Diuca-Finch inhabits open woodland and shrubby areas, where it is found in pairs or in small flocks, often in association with the Rufous- collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia) and blackbirds (Icteridæ). It feeds on seeds and grains foraged on the ground. Excellent singer, its voice consists of crystalline notes and during the breeding season its song can be heard even before daybreak. The song is uttered from a perch on trees or shrubs. It nests among the vegetation, the nest consisting of a simple cup-shaped construction made of sticks, fibres, and lined inside with feathers. Clutch size: up to four greenish eggs, speckled brown, grey and ochraceous.

Range: from Neuquén and Río Negro to Santa Cruz. In the Andean and pre-Andean region of Neuquén and Santa Cruz, the race Diuca d. diuca is found; along the east of Río Negro, Chubut and Santa Cruz, the race Diuca d. minor.