Chlorophonia sclateri
The Puerto Rican Euphonia (*Chlorophonia musica sclateri*) is a stunningly vibrant passerine, a subspecies of the Antillean Euphonia, endemic to the montane forests of Puerto Rico. Males are unmistakable with their iridescent green upperparts, brilliant yellow underparts, a striking sky-blue crown, and a contrasting black facial mask, while a white vent adds a clean finish. Females exhibit a similar pattern but are generally duller, with more olive-green and less intense yellow. This small, s...
This species primarily inhabits moist, high-to-mid elevation montane forests, particularly favoring areas with abundant fruiting trees, including shade-grown coffee plantations and mature secondary growth, typically at elevations from 200 to 1300 meters.
The diet consists predominantly of small fruits and berries, especially mistletoe berries (*Phoradendron*) and other epiphytic fruits, supplemented by a small number of insects and spiders, primarily gleaned from foliage.
Active during daylight hours, the Puerto Rican Euphonia primarily forages in the forest canopy, often joining small, mixed-species flocks alongside other tanagers and warblers. Its foraging strategy involves agilely gleaning berries and small fruits from branches, often hanging upside down to acc...
The Puerto Rican Euphonia (*Chlorophonia musica sclateri*) is entirely restricted to the mountainous interior of Puerto Rico, making it a true island endemic. Its breeding and year-round range encompasses the central Cordillera Central and El Yunque National Forest, primarily occupying moist mont...
Least Concern
- The Puerto Rican Euphonia is entirely endemic to the island of Puerto Rico, found nowhere else in the world. - Despite its designation in the prompt as *Chlorophonia sclateri*, it is actually a distinct subspecies, *Chlorophonia musica sclateri*, part of the Antillean Euphonia complex. - These ...