Olive-backed euphonia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Olive-backed euphonia |
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| Male E. g. praetermissa, Costa Rica | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Euphonia
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| Species: |
gouldi
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_male_feeding_on_custard_apple_(Annona_reticulata)_Orange_Walk.jpg)
The olive-backed euphonia (scientific name: Euphonia gouldi) is a small, colorful passerine bird. It belongs to the finch family. These birds live all year round in the warm, tropical lowlands and foothills. You can find them from southern Mexico down to western Panama.
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Discover the Olive-backed Euphonia
The olive-backed euphonia is a tiny bird, only about 9.5 centimeters long. That's roughly the length of your palm! It weighs around 12 grams, which is about the same as two quarters.
Where Do These Birds Live?
Olive-backed euphonias love wet forests. They also live in areas where new plants are growing tall. You can often spot them in bushy clearings nearby. They usually live from sea level up to about 750 meters high. Sometimes, they can even be found at altitudes of 1000 meters!
What Do They Look Like?
These birds are quite striking!
Male Euphonia's Colors
The adult male olive-backed euphonia has shiny, olive-green feathers on its back. Its forehead is bright yellow. Its belly is a reddish-brown color, surrounded by more yellow feathers.
Female Euphonia's Colors
The adult female is a bit less shiny than the male. Her upper parts are olive-green. She has a chestnut (reddish-brown) forehead. Her belly is mostly yellow, with a small reddish-brown patch.
Young Euphonias
Young euphonias are not as colorful. They are darker and duller. Their underparts are mostly olive-green.
What Do They Eat?
Olive-backed euphonias mostly eat small fruits. They often search for food in small groups. Sometimes, they even join other types of birds to find food together. This is called a mixed-species feeding flock.
Sounds and Calls
The olive-backed euphonia has a unique call. It sounds like a metallic chrrr-chrrr. Their song is a mix of this call with clear or sometimes nasal whistling sounds.
Reproduction and Nesting
Female olive-backed euphonias build a special nest. It's shaped like a ball with an opening on the side. They hide their nests high up in trees, usually between 2 and 11 meters off the ground. They often use epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants) or mosses to hide their nests. A female usually lays three white eggs. These eggs have brown marks on them.
Naming the Bird
The scientific species name, gouldi, honors a famous person. It was named after John Gould. He was an English ornithologist, which means he was a scientist who studied birds.
