Green Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza

birdwatching in bosque de niebla

Quick Facts

  • Scientific Name: Chlorophanes spiza
  • Family: Thraupidae
  • Known Nicknames: Green Honey-creeper
  • Average Length: 13–14 cm / 5.1–5.5 in
  • Average Weight: 14–23 g / 0.5–0.8 oz
  • Wingspan: 18–20 cm / 7–8 in
  • Key Feature: Strong sexual dimorphism; males are iridescent blue-green with a black facial mask and yellow-and-black bill
  • Primary Diet: Omnivore (Primarily fruit, nectar, and insects)
  • Range: Southern Mexico through Central America to the Amazon Basin, southeastern Brazil, and Trinidad
  • Habitat: Canopy and edges of humid tropical forests, woodlands, and plantations
  • Social Structure: Solitary or in pairs; frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks
  • Nesting/Breeding: Shallow cup nest built in tree foliage
  • Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
  • Population Trend: Decreasing

The Green Honeycreeper (*Chlorophanes spiza*) is a vibrant jewel of the Neotropical canopy, celebrated for its spectacular sexual dimorphism and iridescent beauty. Males are instantly recognizable by their shimmering aqua-green plumage, which contrasts dramatically with a velvet-black head mask and a sharp, decurved bill featuring a bright yellow lower mandible. Females, while less flashy, display a lush, grass-green coloration that provides perfect camouflage within the forest foliage. Beyond their striking looks, these agile birds possess specialized brush-tipped tongues for harvesting nectar, though they are equally adept at foraging for fruit and small insects. Perhaps most fascinating is the species' rare link to bilateral gynandromorphism—a biological phenomenon where an individual can appear split perfectly down the middle with male plumage on one side and female on the other—making the Green Honeycreeper a true marvel of the avian world.

Habitats et répartition

This species maintains an extensive geographical range that stretches from southern Mexico through Central America and into South America, reaching as far south as Bolivia and southeastern Brazil, as well as the island of Trinidad. Within this broad territory, it primarily occupies humid lowland regions, typically residing at elevations from sea level up to approximately 1,200 meters, though it can occasionally be found in higher montane forests up to 2,300 meters depending on the region.

Its preferred habitats include the canopy and sub-canopy of primary evergreen forests, forest edges, and mature second-growth woodlands. It is also frequently observed in semi-open environments such as shaded plantations—particularly coffee and citrus—and suburban gardens that provide a rich supply of flowering trees. Highly arboreal in nature, it spends the vast majority of its time in the upper layers of the forest, rarely descending toward the forest floor.

Comportements & Reproduction

These birds are primarily canopy-dwellers, often observed foraging for nectar, small fruits, and insects. While they are frequently seen in pairs or small family units, they are also active participants in mixed-species foraging flocks, moving rapidly through the foliage. Males exhibit territorial behavior during the breeding season, using their vibrant plumage and vocalizations to defend nesting sites and attract potential mates.

Reproduction involves the construction of a small, cup-shaped nest, typically hidden within dense vegetation and crafted from fine plant fibers and spiderwebs. The female is responsible for incubating the usual clutch of two eggs, while the male assists by providing food during this period. A rare but documented biological phenomenon in this species is bilateral gynandromorphism, where an individual displays male plumage on one side of its body and female plumage on the other, though such occurrences are exceptional rather than a standard reproductive strategy.

Alimentation

The Green Honeycreeper maintains a diverse diet primarily consisting of nectar, small fruits, and insects. Utilizing its slightly decurved, sharp bill and a specialized brush-tipped tongue, it efficiently extracts nectar from various tropical flowers, such as bromeliads and melastomes. Interestingly, this bird is known for "nectar robbing," a behavior where it pierces the base of a flower to access the nectar directly, bypassing the traditional pollination route. Beyond liquid sweets, it consumes a variety of berries and arils, often swallowing small fruits whole or mashing soft pulp to reach the nutrients. To supplement its protein intake, the Green Honeycreeper actively gleans small invertebrates, including spiders and beetles, from the foliage or occasionally captures them in mid-air. Its foraging habits are notably social, as it frequently joins mixed-species flocks to locate dispersed food sources across the forest canopy.

Couleurs

The male Green Honeycreeper features brilliant, iridescent blue-green plumage contrasted by a distinct black head mask and a bright yellow lower mandible. In contrast, the female is a uniform, vivid grass-green, providing effective camouflage within forest canopies. Both sexes possess striking red eyes and slightly decurved bills, with the male’s bold coloration serving for display and the female’s verdant hue offering protection through mimicry of the surrounding foliage.

Faits amusants

These birds are world-renowned for rare instances of bilateral gynandromorphism, appearing as a perfect vertical split with male blue-green plumage on one side and female grass-green on the other. They are notorious "nectar robbers," frequently bypassing pollination by using their sharp, decurved beaks to pierce the base of flowers and steal nectar from the outside. To assist with this sugary diet, they possess specialized tubular tongues with brush-like tips that act like sponges for liquid. They also exhibit an incredibly acrobatic feeding style, often hanging completely upside down to reach fruit or insects hidden on the undersides of tropical leaves.