Plushcap (Catamblyrhynchus diadema)

Identification & Behavior: ~14 cm (5.5 in). The Plushcap has bluish-gray back and tail. The underparts and most of the head is chestnut. It has a characteristic bright yellow forehead and black nape. The bill is short, black, and stubby. Both sexes are alike. The juvenile is brown above and dull chestnut below without a yellow forehead. It often forages with mixed species flocks in thick foliage. It is often associated with Chusquea bamboo. The plumage of an adult is unmistakable.

Status: The Plushcap is uncommon in montane forests of the east and west (Piura to Lambayeque) slopes of the Andes at elevations ranging between 2000-3450 m. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Gorro Afelpado.

Sub-species: Plushcap (Catamblyrhynchus diadema diadema), Lafresnaye, 1842.  Colombia (Santa Marta Mts, and Andes generally) S to S Ecuador and NE Peru.
(Catamblyrhynchus diadema citrinifrons), Berlepsch and Stolzmann, 1896.  Andes of Peru S on W slope to Lambayeque, and throughout E slope S to Bolivia (La Paz, Cochabamba and W Santa Cruz) and to NW Argentina (Jujuy).

Meaning of Name: Catamblyrhynchus: Gr. katambluoo= to blunt and rhunkhos= bill.diadema: L. diadema diadem= royal head-dress.

See more of the Family Thraupidae