Kleinothraupis atropileus
The Black-capped Hemispingus, *Kleinothraupis atropileus*, is a striking small passerine belonging to the tanager family (Thraupidae), measuring approximately 14 cm (5.5 inches) in length and weighing around 15-20 grams. Its most distinctive field marks are a prominent black cap and nape, contrasted sharply with a bright white supercilium and blackish lores and ear-coverts. The upperparts are a dull olive-green, while its throat and underparts are a vibrant, unblemished yellow. This species w...
Found primarily in humid montane and cloud forests, often in dense undergrowth or at forest edges, at high elevations.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on beetles, caterpillars, spiders, and other arthropods, supplemented with small fruits.
This diurnal species is typically observed foraging actively during daylight hours, often in pairs or small family groups. A common sight in the Andean cloud forests, it frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks, moving deliberately through the mid-story and understory. Its foraging strategy...
The Black-capped Hemispingus is a resident species found exclusively along the Andean cordillera in South America. Its distribution spans from the Andes of Colombia, through Ecuador, and south into northern Peru. Two subspecies are recognized: *K. a. atropileus* inhabits the Central and Western A...
Least Concern
- This species underwent a significant taxonomic reclassification from *Hemispingus* to *Kleinothraupis*, reflecting advanced genetic understanding of tanager relationships. - Its preference for dense, mossy cloud forests makes it an indicator species for these specialized and often threatened ec...