Lemon-spectacled Tanager

Overview

The lemon-spectacled tanager (Chlorothraupis olivacea) is a bird species in the family Cardinalidae. It inhabits parts of South and Central America and is rated as a species of 'least concern' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Identification

• Approximately 17 cm in length, with a male plumage that is a darker shade of dull olive-green and reduced yellow on the throat compared to similar species.
• Both sexes possess a distinctive yellow eye-ring, which serves as the primary visual differentiator from the olive tanager.
• Characterised by a loud, rapidly repeated call that sounds like "treu-treu-treu-treu".

Habitat

Found in western Colombia, northwestern Ecuador, and Panama, the bird inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland and montane forests, as well as heavily degraded former forest areas. It predominantly frequents the understorey of lowland wet forests and forest edges, usually staying below 400 m and seldom rising above 800 m.

Diet

The lemon-spectacled tanager feeds on insects and some plant matter. It often forages in groups of up to four birds or as part of small mixed flocks, where it frequently appears to act as the flock leader.

Did you know?

Although the species may be declining slightly, it does not meet the criteria for a more-threatened conservation category due to its very wide range, despite its population having not been quantified.