The plumbeous euphonia is a species of bird in the family Fringillidae. It is found in northern Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and heavily degraded former forest.
Region
Northern South America (Amazon Basin and the Guianas)
Typical Environment
Occurs from Venezuela and Colombia through the Guianas into northern and central Amazonian Brazil and adjacent eastern Peru. It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland forest, forest edges, secondary growth, and riverine woodland. The species readily uses heavily degraded former forest and gardens with fruiting shrubs and trees. Most foraging is in the midstory to canopy, often around fruiting plants.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small euphonia is unusual among its relatives for the male’s mostly lead-gray plumage rather than bright yellow. It favors forest edges and second growth and adapts well to disturbed habitats. By swallowing small fruits whole, it helps disperse the seeds of mistletoes and other berry-bearing plants.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs or small family groups and may join mixed-species flocks at fruiting trees. Nests are usually domed or globular with a side entrance, placed in dense foliage or vine tangles. Both parents participate in feeding young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice consists of thin, high-pitched whistles and tinkling phrases, often repeated in quick sequences. Calls include soft seee and tsit notes used to keep contact while foraging.
Plumage
Male mostly uniform lead-gray to slaty with a subtle bluish sheen; female dull olive-green above with yellowish-olive underparts. Both sexes lack wingbars and have a neat, compact appearance with smooth, close-lying feathers.
Diet
Primarily consumes small fruits and berries, especially mistletoes and other parasitic or hemi-parasitic plants. It swallows fruits whole and later disperses seeds, playing an important ecological role. Insects and other small arthropods are occasionally taken, especially during breeding.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in forest edges, secondary growth, and canopy or midstory of lowland rainforest. Frequently visits fruiting trees and shrubs along rivers, clearings, and in semi-open habitats near human settlements.
