Golden-browed Chlorophonia

Overview

The golden-browed chlorophonia (Chlorophonia callophrys) is a small finch found in the mountain ranges of Costa Rica and western Panama. It is classified as a species of Least Concern, with an estimated population of at least 50,000 mature individuals.

Identification

• A chunky, short-tailed bird measuring approximately 13 cm (5.1 in) in length and weighing around 24 g (0.85 oz).
• Adult males feature a pale violet-blue crown, a golden-yellow forehead and supercilium, and emerald-green upperparts with bright yellow underparts.
• Adult females are similar but have a light blue central crown and nape with shiny green upperparts and yellow breast centres.
• Song is described as a mournful, single-note whistle lasting about a second, transcribed as "koow" or "keeeu".

Habitat

Found along the mountain ranges of Costa Rica and into western Panama's Chiriquí and Veraguas provinces, the species primarily inhabits the interior and edges of evergreen forest. It favours trees heavy with moss and epiphytes, ranging in elevation from 750 to 2,500 m, though in Costa Rica it is typically found from 1,000 m up to the treeline.

Diet

This bird feeds almost exclusively on fruit, favouring the berries of mistletoe and other small berries as well as figs, while including small numbers of insects in its diet. It forages mostly in the forest canopy, usually in pairs during the breeding season and in small flocks of up to about 12 individuals outside that period.

Did you know?

In Costa Rica, the bird is known locally as a rualdo, associated with a legend stating it sacrificed its wonderful singing voice to the volcano Poás to prevent a young woman from being sacrificed, thereby stopping the eruption.