Abstract
The crested finches of South America have always been popular. Most people are familiar with the Black-crested Finch Lophospigus pusillus, more commonly known as the Pygmy Cardinal, and the Red-crested Finch Coryphospingus cucullatus. The genus Rhodospingus however, has always been very rare in American aviculture. Those who are aware of it know o nly of the Rhodospin- gus Finch Rhodospingus cmentusas this is the only species of the genus we can find reported in English language avicul- rural literature. Undoubtedly, Rhodos- pingus purpureus has not made an ently into American aviculture until now.