The yellow-whiskered chlorospingus, yellow-whiskered bush tanager or short-billed bush-tanager is a species of bird traditionally placed in the family Thraupidae, but now viewed closer to Arremonops in the Passerellidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs on humid Andean slopes of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and into Bolivia. It favors montane cloud forests, forest edges, and secondary growth with dense shrubs and epiphytes. Frequently associated with bamboo (Chusquea) thickets and vine tangles. Most common in the understory to mid-story, but will move into lower canopy when following mixed flocks. Typically absent from heavily degraded lowland habitats.
Altitude Range
900–2600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the yellow-whiskered bush-tanager or short-billed bush-tanager, this small Andean songbird was traditionally placed with tanagers but is now considered closer to sparrows (Passerellidae). It often joins mixed-species flocks in mossy cloud forests, where its thin, high calls help keep contact with flockmates. The bright yellow 'whisker' (submoustachial) stripe on a gray face is a key field mark. It forages methodically in the understory and mid-story, gleaning insects and taking small fruits.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Commonly travels in small groups and readily joins mixed-species flocks moving through the understory. Pairs likely maintain small territories during breeding; both sexes participate in nesting duties. Nests are typically cup-shaped and placed low in dense vegetation or banks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, thin, high-pitched chips and tsee notes given in rapid series while foraging with flocks. Song is a light, twittering jumble of trills and thin phrases, often subdued and easily overlooked amid forest sounds.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with yellowish underparts and a gray head. A conspicuous yellow submoustachial 'whisker' contrasts with a dusky ear patch. Often shows a pale eye ring or broken spectacle effect typical of chlorospingi. Short bill and relatively plain wings without bold wingbars.
Diet
Gleans small insects, spiders, and other arthropods from leaves and mossy substrates. Supplements protein with small berries and other soft fruits, especially when insect availability is lower. Will occasionally sip nectar or take tiny seeds, but animal prey and fruit dominate.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory and mid-story of humid montane forest, often among moss-laden branches and epiphytes. Frequently searches along bamboo and vine tangles and at forest edges. Follows mixed flocks to exploit disturbed patches and edges with abundant prey.
