Lesser greenlet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lesser greenlet |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pachysylvia
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| Species: |
decurtata
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| Synonyms | |
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Hylophilus decurtatus |
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The lesser greenlet (Pachysylvia decurtata) is a small, active bird. It belongs to the vireo family. These birds live in areas from northeastern Mexico all the way south to western Ecuador.
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About the Lesser Greenlet
The lesser greenlet is a common bird. It lives in lowlands and hills up to about 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) high. You can find it in forest tops and along the edges of forests. It also likes the tops of tall trees in areas that are growing back or are partly open.
Where it Lives and Nests
Lesser greenlets build their nests like a deep cup. They make them from dead leaves and spiderwebs. The nest is attached to tree branches, usually 10 to 15 meters (33 to 49 feet) high. A female lesser greenlet usually lays two white eggs. These eggs have brown marks on them.
What the Lesser Greenlet Looks Like
An adult lesser greenlet is about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long. It weighs around 9 grams (0.3 ounces). Its upper body is olive-green. Its head is pale grey with a white ring around its eye. The underside of its body is white. It has a bit of yellow on its chest and some olive color on its sides.
Young lesser greenlets look a bit duller. They are brown on top. Their head and chest have a light brown, buff color.
Different Types of Lesser Greenlets
There are two main types, or "races," of lesser greenlets.
- One type, called H. d. decurtatus, lives from central Panama southward. It has a green top to its head.
- The other type, H. d. minor, lives in the northern parts of the bird's range. This one has a grey top to its head.
The grey-crowned type was once thought to be a separate species. But these two types often breed together in central Panama. Because of this, scientists now consider them to be the same species.
What the Lesser Greenlet Eats
Lesser greenlets eat spiders and insects. They find these by carefully searching the leaves of trees. They also enjoy eating small fruits and seeds. These birds often join groups of other birds looking for food. They might fly with gnatcatchers, warblers, and honeycreepers.
Sounds of the Lesser Greenlet
The lesser greenlet has a special call. It sounds like a nasal neeah-neeah-neeah-neeah. Its song is a whistled tune. It sounds like chi chi cher cher cher cher chiri cher which cheri. This song is slower and more musical than the song of the yellow-green vireo.
