Pseudospingus xanthophthalmus
The Drab Hemispingus (Pseudospingus xanthophthalmus) is a charming, though subtly colored, member of the tanager family (Thraupidae), primarily found in the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia. Measuring approximately 14-14.5 cm (5.5-5.7 in) in length and weighing 15-20 grams (0.5-0.7 oz), this small passerine lives up to its 'drab' moniker with an overall olive-brown to grayish-olive plumage, often lighter on the underparts. Its most distinctive field mark, and the source of its scientific epithe...
Found primarily in humid montane evergreen and cloud forests, as well as adjacent shrubby borders, at elevations typically ranging from 2,000 to 3,500 meters (6,500-11,500 feet) in the Andes.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small arthropods and insects gleaned from foliage, moss, and bark, occasionally supplementing its diet with small berries or fruits.
The Drab Hemispingus is a highly active, diurnal bird, often observed gleaning insects and small arthropods from the foliage and moss-covered branches of its montane forest habitat. It rarely descends to the ground, preferring the mid-story and subcanopy layers. A hallmark of its social behavior ...
The Drab Hemispingus is a resident species found exclusively in the central Andes of South America, spanning across parts of Peru and Bolivia. Its distribution extends from the Department of Cajamarca in northern Peru, south through the Peruvian Andes, into northern and central Bolivia, primarily...
Least Concern
- Its scientific name, *xanthophthalmus*, directly translates from Greek to "yellow-eyed," perfectly describing its most distinctive field mark. - Despite its "drab" common name, the species' subtle olive plumage often blends beautifully with its moss-laden cloud forest environment, making it a m...