Rather local but sometimes numerous in the high Andes. Favors puna grasslands, stony plains with shrubby bushes, villages, and bogs. Often in flocks, sometimes mixed with other species, and feeds mainly on the ground. Both sexes rather uniform bright greenish yellow overall (female averages duller) with a relatively stout, grayish bill. Greenish Yellow-Finch of usually lower elevations is duller (especially the female), with a smaller and more pointed bill. Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch sometimes occurs with Puna, but has grayish cheeks, back, and flanks.