Olive-backed Euphonia

Overview

The olive-backed euphonia (Euphonia gouldi) is a small bird species in the family Fringillidae, distributed from Mexico to Panama. It is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though its population is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Males feature a yellow forehead that may extend to the rear of the eye, contrasting with olive-green upperparts that have a bluish-grey gloss.
• Females possess a rufous-chestnut forehead and dull olive upperparts, with underparts that are yellowish olive and tawny-rufous vents.
• The species is sexually dimorphic, with males having bright yellow underparts and females showing mottled yellow and olive sides.
• It has a thick stubby bill, a blackish bill with a pale blue-grey base, and dark grey legs.

Habitat

The species primarily inhabits the interior and edges of tropical rainforest, as well as mature secondary forest and occasionally gardens. It is found on the Gulf-Caribbean slope of Central America, ranging from southern Mexico through to northwestern Panama, with an upper elevational limit of up to 1,300 m.

Diet

The olive-backed euphonia feeds primarily on small fruits, foraging singly, in pairs, or in small groups. It regularly joins mixed-species feeding flocks and forages from the mid-level to the canopy, though it will feed at all levels in the forest.

Did you know?

The species is named after the English ornithologist John Gould, who collected the type specimen, with the specific epithet gouldi chosen to honour him as one of the most eminent naturalists of the day.