Thlypopsis superciliaris
The Superciliaried Hemispingus (*Thlypopsis superciliaris*) is a petite and engaging tanager, instantly recognizable by its prominent white supercilium. Measuring approximately 13-14 cm (5-5.5 inches) in length and weighing 12-18 grams, this slender passerine exhibits an olive-green back, contrasting with bright yellow underparts that can vary in intensity across subspecies. Its most distinctive field mark is the crisp white eyebrow, set against dark lores and often a dusky eye-line, making i...
This species thrives in humid montane forests, cloud forests, forest edges, and shrubby clearings, typically at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 meters (5,000-10,000 feet).
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of arthropods gleaned from foliage and bark; it also consumes small fruits and berries opportunistically.
The Superciliaried Hemispingus is a diurnal and highly active passerine, primarily observed foraging throughout the day. Its primary foraging strategy involves gleaning insects and other arthropods from leaves, twigs, and small branches, meticulously searching the canopy and understory. Occasiona...
The Superciliaried Hemispingus is endemic to the Andes Mountains, boasting a wide but fragmented distribution from western Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and into central Bolivia. This species is predominantly a year-round resident throughout its range, exhibiting primarily alti...
Least Concern
- Its name "Superciliaried" directly refers to the prominent white stripe above its eye, a key identification feature. - Despite its common name, it is now classified as a tanager in the genus *Thlypopsis*, not a true hemispingus (genus *Hemispingus*). - It is a cornerstone species in many mixed-...