An interesting observation on our Brazil: Interior tour this month was a pair of Long-tailed Reed Finch hopping around on rocks and clambering in low vegetation at the top of the Pico da Lapinha Trail (where we search for the endemic Cipo Canastero). Tour participant Ohad Sherer took excellent photos which show some distinctive features, including a particularly dark face with otherwise rather faintly-marked plumage. I have seen what is probably this form on the top of Itatiaia National Park many years ago, also utilising this distinct habitat which is far from the usual reed beds almost exclusively preferred by this species further south. It seems to me a similar case to Speckle-breasted Antpitta and Slaty Bristlefront, both these also considered monotypic but with clear morphological and vocal differences from north to south. Further study required!

Long-tailed Reed Finch (Poephila acuticauda) from Cipo by Ohad Sherer