The olive-capped flowerpecker is a species of bird in the family Dicaeidae. It is endemic to the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.Its natural habitat is tropical moist montane forest.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
This species inhabits tropical moist montane and mossy forests, often along forest edges, ridgelines, and in areas with abundant fruiting shrubs and mistletoes. It keeps mostly to the mid- to upper canopy but may descend to feed at flowering or fruiting trees near clearings. It favors dense, mature forest but can persist in selectively logged areas if fruit resources remain. It is highly localized to mountainous areas on Mindanao.
Altitude Range
900–2400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The olive-capped flowerpecker is a tiny canopy specialist that plays a key role in dispersing mistletoe and other small-fruited plants. It is restricted to highland forests of Mindanao in the southern Philippines and is typically encountered in pairs or small family groups. Its high, thin calls often reveal its presence long before it is seen.
Temperament
active and somewhat secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family parties, and occasionally joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Nests are typically small, purse-like structures suspended from foliage, with both parents participating in care. Territories are defended around rich fruiting patches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice consists of high, thin tseet and tzip notes, often given in quick series from the canopy. Song is a faint, rapid twitter that can be hard to locate, functioning mainly as contact and foraging calls.
Plumage
Compact, short-tailed flowerpecker with a distinct olive-toned crown contrasting darker upperparts and paler underparts. Plumage is clean and smooth, with subtle gloss on the darker mantle; underparts are buffy to yellowish with minimal streaking. Bill is short, thick, and slightly curved, typical of flowerpeckers.
Diet
Feeds primarily on tiny berries and drupes, especially mistletoe fruits, which it swallows whole and later disperses. Supplements diet with nectar from small flowers and occasionally small arthropods. Its feeding helps maintain montane plant communities through effective seed dispersal.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the mid- to upper canopy of montane forest, along forest edges, and at fruiting or flowering trees. Frequently visits mistletoe clumps and fruiting shrubs on ridges and along trails.
