Habitat: This bird species is only found in foothills and highlands. Distribution: This species has been reported from central Mexico to southern Peru. Natural History Notes: The Chestnut-capped brush-finch is numerous but nonetheless not often seen because it is fairly shy. If you see it, this bird will probably be in pairs and walking on the forest ground. It feeds on insects, spiders and seeds. Conservation status according to IUCN 2008 Red list: Least Concern (LC). Characteristics: This species has a total length of 7.5 inches (measured from tip of bill to end of tail). This bird can be recognized by its chestnut crown on top of the head. Otherwise, the forehead and the sides of the head are black, and we can distinguish three small white stripes on the forehead. The part above has an olive green plumage and the throat is white. Below the throat, a black band present on the chest. The race (elsae) present in western Panama have a gray coloration on the sides of the body.