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Photo: © Luis A. Materón
green-honeycreeper

Green Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza
Mielero Verde
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Song

Green Honeycreeper

Appearance: The Green Honeycreeper is a small bird with a bright green plumage, a black mask around its eyes, and a blue patch on its throat. The male has a more vibrant coloration compared to the female, which is mostly olive-green with a yellowish throat.
Habitat: Green Honeycreepers are found in the canopy of tropical forests, often near flowering trees where they can feed on nectar and insects.
Behavior: These birds are known for their acrobatic flying skills and their ability to extract nectar from flowers using their specialized beaks. They are seen in small groups or pairs.
Breeding: Green Honeycreepers build cup-shaped nests made of plant fibers, moss, and spider webs. The female lays 2-3 eggs, which are incubated for about two weeks before hatching. Both parents take turns feeding and caring for the chicks.
Conservation status: The Green Honeycreeper is considered a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.
MALE
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Photo: © Luis A. Materón
FEMALE
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Photo : © Luis A. Materón

Distribution

Caribbean Coast: The Green Honeycreeper is often seen in the coastal areas of the Caribbean region, including the departments of La Guajira, Atlántico, Bolívar, and Magdalena.

Pacific Coast: This bird can also be found along the Pacific coast. Also in regions such as Chocó and Valle del Cauca.

Andean Region: The Green Honeycreeper is present in the Andean region including departments such as Antioquia, Caldas, and Risaralda.

Amazon Region: This bird species can be found in the Amazon region, particularly, in the departments of Putumayo, Caquetá, and Amazonas.

Orinoco Region: Few reports of this bird in Arauca, Casanare, and Vichada.

Taxonomy

The Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Passeriformes
  • Family: Thraupidae
  • Genus: Chlorophanes
  • Species: Chlorophanes spiza

Vocalization

The Green Honeycreeper's vocalization is a series of high-pitched, musical notes that are often described as sounding like a rapid, melodious trill. The bird's song is delivered in a cheerful and energetic manner, with each note blending seamlessly into the next to create a continuous, flowing melody. Its vocalizations are an important part of its courtship and territorial displays, as well as its communication with other members of its species.