The Trinidad euphonia is a species of bird in the family Fringillidae. It is common in northern Colombia and northern Venezuela and uncommon to rare on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Like all euphonias, it is small, stocky, and short-tailed; unlike some, it is sexually dimorphic. The male is glossy blue-black on the head, back, throat, and upper breast, with a bright yellow forehead and crown, and bright yellow underparts. The female is olive-green above and yellow-olive below, with a grayer patch running down the center of her breast and abdomen, and bright yellow undertail coverts. Its calls are high-pitched, plaintive whistles: the two most common are a single-pitched, double-noted "pee pee" or "tee dee", or a rising, double-noted "puwee", "cooleee" or "duu dee". Its song is a short, jumbled mix of musical and nonmusical notes.
Region
Caribbean and northern South America
Typical Environment
Found in northern Colombia and northern Venezuela, with a small population on the island of Trinidad. Prefers forest edges, second growth, riparian thickets, plantations, and gardens with fruiting trees. Often forages in the canopy and midstory but also descends to lower levels at fruiting shrubs. It adapts well to mosaic landscapes where small berries are abundant.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A small, stocky euphonia with strong sexual dimorphism: males are glossy blue‑black with a bright yellow crown and underparts, females olive-green above and yellow-olive below. Its calls are high, plaintive whistles and short jumbled songs. It is an important disperser of mistletoe and other small-fruited plants, swallowing berries whole and passing the seeds. On Trinidad it is uncommon to rare, but it is more frequent on the adjacent mainland.
Females show a grayish patch in the center of their belly and abdomen.
The male's yellow crown extends back behind his eyes.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and often joins mixed-species aggregations at fruiting trees. Builds a globular nest with a side entrance in dense foliage. The female incubates while the male often helps feed nestlings. Pairs maintain small territories around rich fruit sources.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are high-pitched, plaintive double notes such as pee-pee or tee-dee, and rising puwee or cooleee phrases. The song is a short, jumbled series of musical and buzzy notes delivered from a prominent perch.
