Olive-backed Euphonia
A species of Euphonias Scientific name : Euphonia gouldi Genus : Euphonias
Olive-backed Euphonia, A species of Euphonias
Botanical name: Euphonia gouldi
Genus: Euphonias
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Steve Garvie , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The olive-backed euphonia (Euphonia gouldi) is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is a resident breeder in the Caribbean lowlands and foothills from southern Mexico to western Panama. The olive-backed euphonia is found in wet forests, tall second growth and adjacent bushy clearings, typically from sea level to 750 m altitude, sometimes up to 1000 m. The spherical cup nest, with a side entrance, is hidden amongst epiphytes or mosses 2–11 m high in a tree. The normal clutch is three brown-marked white eggs. The adult olive-backed euphonia is 9.5 cm long and weighs 12 g. The adult male has glossy olive upperparts, a yellow forehead, and a rufous belly surrounded by yellow. The adult female has less glossy upperparts than the male, a chestnut forehead, yellow underparts and a small rufous belly patch. Immatures are darker, duller, and have olive underparts. The olive-backed euphonia occurs in small groups, or as part of a mixed-species feeding flock. This species feeds mainly on small fruits. The olive-backed euphonia's call is a metallic chrrr-chrrr, and the song is mixture of the call with clear or nasal whistles. The scientific species name commemorates John Gould, the English ornithologist.
Size
10 cm
Nest Placement
Tree
Feeding Habits
Olive-backed Euphonia predominantly consumes small berries and fruits from plants like Anthurium, Miconia, and mistletoes. They forage by gleaning, focusing on high-energy foods and showing a preference for small-seeded species such as Trema and Urera, as well as Cecropia catkins.
Habitat
The olive-backed Euphonia typically inhabits tall humid and wet lowland forests, foothill forests, and areas of tall secondary growth. It is also found in shady clearings adjacent to or within rainforests. The olive-backed Euphonia predominantly occupies regions from sea level up to approximately 500 meters in elevation, although it has been recorded at altitudes as high as 1200 meters in some parts of its geographical range.
Dite type
Frugivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Fruit
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Photo By Steve Garvie , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Finches Genus
Euphonias Species
Olive-backed Euphonia