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EUPHONIAS (GENUS EUPHONIA)

(10 species). Small, rather stocky, colorful neotropical

finches, formerly considered as tanagers. Typically in pairs or small groups at mid–upper levels, but

regularly come low at fruiting shrubs, especially mistletoe, and visit feeders. Sometimes with mixed

flocks. Ages/sexes differ; adult appearance attained in 1st year. Calls and songs amazingly varied; try

to learn quality and pattern of one or two distinctive phrases.

GOLDEN-BROWED CHLOROPHONIA  Euphonia (Chlorophonia) callophrys

12.5–13.5cm. Chunky emerald gem of cloud forest and edge, adjacent second

growth with scattered trees, fruiting shrubs. No similar species in Costa Rica but

cf. Green Shrike-Vireo (p. 348). Often in canopy and easily overlooked; forms

small flocks in nonbr. season. Juv. like female but duller, 1st-year male like

bright version of female with variable golden sheen to brows. SOUNDS: Hollow,

mournful, slightly descending whistled heuuu, about 0.5 sec, repeated every 2–3

secs; short twangy clucks and grunts, rather frog-like, every 1–3 secs, ehk, oóik,

ehk, oóik, oóik, ehk..., at times with mournful whistles thrown in. Song a jerky

gurgling warble with high, slightly nasal whui notes thrown in, sometimes prolonged. STATUS: Fairly

common from timberline down to 1500m on Pacific slope, to 900m on Caribbean slope; wanders to lower

elevations in winter, mainly on Caribbean slope. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)

ELEGANT EUPHONIA  Euphonia (Chlorophonia) elegantissima 10–11cm.

Foothill and highland forest, semi-open areas with trees and shrubs bearing

mistletoe. See genus note. Distinctive, with turquoise hood. Juv. might be con-

fusing but little or no overlap with olive-plumaged females of other euphonias;

soon attains blue on crown. SOUNDS: Clipped, descending teu, nasal cheh, and

varied low clucks. Song a pleasant, fast-paced, burbling liquid warble, often

prolonged. STATUS: Uncommon and local on both slopes, mainly 1300–2000m;

wanders rarely to coastal lowlands. (Mexico to Panama.)

TAWNY-CAPPED EUPHONIA  Euphonia anneae 10.5–11.5cm. Canopy and

edge of humid foothill forest, adjacent clearings with fruiting shrubs. See genus

note. Male distinctive, with extensive rusty cap, white undertail coverts; female

drabber but note rusty forehead, grayish median underparts, pale undertail

coverts. Juv. resembles female. SOUNDS: Varied nasal and twangy clucks, chirps,

whistles, burry squeaks, at times doubled or trebled; quality relatively squeaky,

slightly mechanical. Song relatively slow-paced, prolonged, phrases often

repeated a few times. STATUS: Fairly common in Caribbean foothills, mainly

500–1700m in north, 800–2000m in south. (Costa Rica to nw. Colombia.)

SPOT-CROWNED EUPHONIA  Euphonia imitans 10–10.5cm. Humid low­

land forest and edge, adjacent clearings with fruiting shrubs. See genus note.

Dark spotting at rear of male’s yellow crown patch often hard to see; note dark

throat and plain dark underside to tail, cf. Scrub and Yellow-crowned Euphonias.

Female distinctive in range; no overlap with Olive-backed Euphonia. Juv. resem­

bles female but with little or no rusty, soon like adult. SOUNDS: Varied short

bubbly, wheezy, gurgling, and bright chirping phrases, chips, and burry rolled

trills, often repeated every few secs or mixed into a prolonged song. Quality

relatively rich, burry overall; common call a burry rolled trr-rr-rrit, similar to

Olive-backed Euphonia. STATUS: Fairly common on s. Pacific slope, to 1400m.

(Costa Rica to w. Panama.)

OLIVE-BACKED EUPHONIA  Euphonia gouldi 10–10.5cm. Humid lowland

forest canopy and edge, adjacent clearings and semi-open areas with fruiting

trees and bushes. See genus note. Distinctive: both sexes greenish overall with

rusty undertail coverts; no range overlap with Spot-crowned Euphonia. Juv.

resembles duller version of adult. SOUNDS: Varied burry, nasal, squeaky, and

slightly bubbly short phrases, chips, burry rolled trills, often repeated every few

secs or mixed into a prolonged song. Quality relatively rich and burry, including

burry rolled drrr-rr-rrt. STATUS: Fairly common on Caribbean slope, to 1000m;

spills over locally to adjacent n. Pacific foothills. (Mexico to w. Panama.)