Superciliaried Hemispingus (Thlypopsis superciliaris)

Identification & Behavior: ~14 cm (5.5 in). The Superciliaried Hemispingus has a variable plumage throughout its range. Birds on the west side of the Andes (maculifrons) (Piura and Cajamarca) and on the east slope of the Andes from Cuzco south to Bolivia (urubambae) are olive above and yellow below with white superciliary.  Birds from Amazonas to Junin (leucogastrus and insignis), are gray above and whitish below with white superciliary. It forages in the canopy of humid montane forests where it appears to be an obligate member of mixed-species flocks. It is similar to a Parodi’s Hemispingus, but is distinguished by a white superciliary. It is also similar to a Citrine Warbler, which has a black and stronger bill and olive crown.

Status: The Superciliaried Hemispingus is common in montane forests of the east (2000-3400 m) and west slopes (2200-3000 m) of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Hemispingo Superciliado.

Sub-species: Superciliaried Hemispingus (Thlypopsis superciliaris maculifrons) J. T. Zimmer, 1947.  W slope in S Ecuador (El Oro) S to N Peru (Cajamarca).
(T. s. insignis), J. T. Zimmer, 1947.  E slope of Andes in Peru (from Amazonas S to Junín).
(T. s. leucogastrus), (Taczanowski), 1874.  E slope of Andes in Junín (Peru).
(T. s. urubambae), J. T. Zimmer, 1947.  E slope of Andes in Peru (S from Cuzco) S to C Bolivia (Cochabamba).

Meaning of Name: Thlypopsis: Gr. Thlupis= unknown small bird, perhaps a finch or a warbler, and opsis= appearance. superciliaris: L. superciliaris= eye-browed, supercilium= eyebrow.

Formerly known as Hemispingus superciliaris.

See more of the Family Thraupidae