Chlorospingus parvirostris
The Yellow-whiskered Chlorospingus (Chlorospingus parvirostris) is a vibrant and inconspicuous denizen of Andean cloud forests, measuring a petite 13-14 cm (5-5.5 inches) in length and weighing between 13-20 grams. Its most striking feature, lending it its common name, is the bright yellow malar stripe, often referred to as a 'whisker,' contrasting sharply with its dark lores and grey head. The rest of its plumage is a beautiful olive-green on the back and wings, with a bright yellow throat a...
Found primarily in humid montane forests and cloud forests, favoring dense understory, forest edges, and secondary growth at elevations typically between 1,400 to 3,000 meters (4,600-9,800 feet).
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects and small arthropods, supplemented with small fruits and occasionally nectar, obtained through active gleaning.
This diurnal species is an active forager, spending much of its time in the understory and mid-story of its forest habitat. It frequently joins mixed-species flocks, often acting as a 'nuclear species' around which other insectivores coalesce, increasing foraging efficiency and predator vigilance...
The Yellow-whiskered Chlorospingus is endemic to the humid montane forests of the Andes mountains in South America. Its extensive breeding and resident range stretches from the temperate zones of southern Colombia, through Ecuador and Peru, extending southward into central Bolivia. Specific popul...
Least Concern
- The 'whisker' that gives this bird its name is actually a prominent yellow malar stripe, a key distinguishing feature. - Its taxonomic classification has been a bit of a journey, moving from traditional placements among tanagers or New World sparrows to its current home in the Passerellidae fam...