Western hemispingus

The western hemispingus is a species of bird in the family of Thraupidae. It is found in Ecuador and Colombia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and heavily degraded former forest.

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Distribution

Region

Northern Andes

Typical Environment

Occurs on the western and central Andes of Colombia south into northwestern Ecuador. It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, especially along forest edges, gaps, and second-growth thickets. The species frequently uses bamboo (Chusquea) tangles, mossy understory, and epiphyte-laden midstory to glean arthropods. It can persist in heavily degraded former forest provided sufficient dense cover remains.

Altitude Range

1400–3200 m

Climate Zone

Highland

Characteristics

Size12–14 cm

Wing Span18–22 cm

Male Weight0.018 kg

Female Weight0.017 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The western hemispingus is a small Andean tanager that forages actively in the midstory and understory, often joining mixed-species flocks. It was formerly placed in the genus Hemispingus and is now commonly treated in Sphenopsis. Its subtle plumage makes it easy to overlook, but its sharp contact notes often reveal its presence. It tolerates lightly disturbed habitat and secondary growth near humid montane forest.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Typically forages in pairs or small groups and is a regular participant in mixed-species flocks moving along forest edges and midstory. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation. Both sexes likely share parental duties, and territories are maintained mainly during the breeding season.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

The voice is a series of thin, high-pitched chips and short trills delivered from cover. Calls are sharp and sibilant, often used to keep contact while moving with mixed flocks.

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Identification

Leg Colordark grey

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Olive to brownish-olive upperparts with a duskier gray-tinged head, warm buff-ochraceous wash on the throat and underparts, and paler belly. Usually shows a faint pale supercilium and two narrow, subdued wingbars. Feathers appear soft and slightly fluffy in the humid montane environment.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Primarily gleans small arthropods such as insects and their larvae from leaves, moss, and twigs. It occasionally takes small fruits or berries when available. Foraging is methodical but brisk, often involving short hops and brief sallies to snatch prey.

Preferred Environment

Feeds in the understory to midstory of humid montane forest, along edges, in secondary growth, and in bamboo thickets. Frequently works within mixed-species flocks that sweep through mossy branches and epiphyte-laden tangles.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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