Uniform finch perched, Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil

The Uniform Finch is endemic to the Atlantic Forest and its appearances are strongly tied to bamboo seeding events. As such, the species can disappear from a given area for long periods, but when it is present the Uniform Finch can be extremely abundant, and is often found in close proximity to other bamboo specialities including the Temminck’s Seedeater (Sporophila falcirostris) and Buffy-fronted Seedeater (Sporophila frontalis). During these periods of abundance, patches of bamboo (usually within mature forest but also tall second growth) can almost resonate to the songs of males, although the birds themselves can still be inconspicuous. Males are entirely uniform grayish, whilst females are generally dull olive-brown with creamy-colored underparts that are streaked indistinctly. Both sexes possess conical, sharp-pointed bills.

The uniform finch (Haplospiza unicolor) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in the southern Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Paraguay and far northeastern Argentina. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. Seeds of bamboo, appearing to prefer Guadua; also grass seeds and insects. Forages near and on ground; at times also higher. It is not globally threatened and is concerned least concern by IUCN. This species is irupptive in nature.