The Yellow-breasted Brush Finch lives in Andean forest and highland grassland. Its crown and nape are rufous, the face has a broad black mask, and the belly is bright yellow. It searches foliage for fruit, fresh leaf buds, and insects.
The crown and nape are rufous, with a broad black mask and moustachial stripe. The back is slate grey, a conspicuous white patch marks the wing, and the underside is bright yellow.
It uses forest interiors and edges, as well as highland grassland and scrub. It actively searches foliage for fruit, fresh leaf buds, and insects, usually in pairs or small groups.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.