Euphonia anneae
Euphonia anneae, the Tawny-capped Euphonia, is a diminutive and strikingly colored songbird native to the humid montane forests of Central America. Measuring approximately 10-11 cm (4-4.3 inches) in length and weighing a mere 12-16 grams, its small stature belies its vibrant plumage. Males are instantly recognizable by their glossy blue-black upperparts and flanks, contrasting sharply with a brilliant tawny-orange cap adorning the forehead and crown, and bright yellow underparts from the lowe...
This species thrives in humid montane forests, forest edges, and clearings with scattered trees, often frequenting shade coffee plantations. It typically inhabits elevations between 600 to 2000 meters above sea level, occasionally being observed at lower or higher altitudes.
The Tawny-capped Euphonia is predominantly frugivorous, with a strong dietary preference for mistletoe berries (family Loranthaceae), which it consumes whole. It also supplements its diet with other small fruits and, to a lesser extent, insects, often foraging by gleaning in the forest canopy.
Tawny-capped Euphonias are diurnal birds, typically observed in pairs or small family groups, occasionally integrating into mixed-species foraging flocks in the forest canopy and sub-canopy. Their foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning fruits, especially mistletoe berries, which they consu...
The Tawny-capped Euphonia is primarily distributed throughout the humid montane regions of Central America, extending from southern Costa Rica southeastward through Panama. Its main breeding range encompasses the Caribbean slope and highlands of Costa Rica, continuing into both the Caribbean and ...
Least Concern
- The Tawny-capped Euphonia is a true "mistletoe specialist," relying heavily on these hemiparasitic plants for a significant portion of its diet. - By consuming mistletoe berries and regurgitating the sticky seeds, this euphonia acts as a crucial seed disperser, facilitating the spread of these ...