Plumbeous Euphonia
Euphonia plumbea
A small mosly gray finch with a yellow belly and contrasting pale bluish bill. Rather uncommon and generally restricted to scrub habitats and taller secondary forests on weathered, sandy soils. Sexes are similar. Like other euphonias, feeds on fruit, often in pairs, sometimes traveling long distances between food sources. Most frequently seen perched on high bare branches; may follow mixed-species flocks. Combination of mostly gray plumage and lack of yellow on forehead distinguishes this species from other euphonias. One vocalization is a jumble of notes preceded by a sharp, inflected note; other sounds similar to those of other euphonias.
Identification
The plumbeous euphonia (Euphonia plumbea) is a species of bird in the family Fringillidae, the finches and euphonias. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and as a vagrant to French Guiana.
Taxonomy
Genus: Euphonia; Family: Fringillidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Euphonia plumbea
- Authority
- Du Bus de Gisignies, 1855
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Euphonia
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Tawny-shouldered Blackbird
Agelaius humeralis
A gregarious species that uses a wide variety of habitats. It is colored black overall except for a yellow-orange shoulder patch, which is usually visible when perched, but should always be apparent in flight. The very similar male Red-shouldered Blackbird can be told by its redder shoulder. The female Red-shouldered Blackbird lacks color on the shoulder and thus can look nearly identical to a Tawny-shouldered Blackbird when its shoulder patch is hidden; sometimes, identification of females can only be made in flight. The Shiny Cowbird lacks a shoulder patch, is quite glossy, and has a shorter and stouter bill than the Tawny-shouldered Blackbird. Vocalizations include a rough “chet,” a sharp musical “chee,” and a metallic upslurred “willeee.”
Philippine Fairy-bluebird
Irena cyanogastra
A medium-sized to fairly large bird of tall forest from the lowlands to low elevations in the mountains. Black on the face, chest, and edge to the wing, with a blackish-blue body and pale blue crown stripe, wing patch, rump, and outer tail. Note the bright red eye. Female is similar to male but slightly duller. Somewhat similar to Asian Glassy Starling or Blackish Cuckooshrike, but Philippine Fairy Bluebird has distinctive blue patterning on the upperparts. Song consists of medium-pitched whistled phrases, including distinctive “whip!” notes.
Jambu Fruit-Dove
Ramphiculus jambu
The plum-red face and pink “blush” on the white chest of the cartoonish-looking male are unique. Plainer female and juvenile can be difficult to separate from female Black-naped Fruit Dove; look out for Jambu’s bright white eye-ring and orange bill. Generally uncommon and nomadic; roams widely across lowland and foothill forests, where it seeks out fruiting trees. Forages quietly in the canopy, typically singly or in pairs.
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