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The plumbeous euphonia (E. plumbea) belongs to the family of finch and euphonia, the Fringillidae.The plumbeous euphonia species are distributed in Brazil, Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. The euphonia is non-migratory resident species. This euphonia species is monotypic.
| Key Facts | Description |
| Pictures of Plumbeous Euphonia | Distribution |
| Ecosystem & Habitat | Conservation |
Plumbeous euphonia - Description and identification
The Plumbeous euphonia is a small finch measuring 9 to 10 cm in length and weighing 8 to 10 grams.The males of these species have bluish gray upperparts, head and breast. The underparts are yellow and the yellow flanks are streaked gray. The females are somewhat duller.
The bill is stout and steel gray. The legs and feet are grayish. The irises are dark. The eye ring is dark gray. The call is a whistling "dee.. dee.." or "weet" sound.
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| Plumbeous euphonia - Euphonia plumbea Image by Hector Bottai |
Plumbeous euphonia - Geographical range and distribution
This species is endemic to South America and is distributed in Brazil, Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of the species in Brazil are, Tepuis do Amazonas, Parque Nacional do Jaรบ, Campinas e Vรกrzeas do Rio Branco and Ecolรณgico Projeto Dinรขmica Biolรณgica de Fragmentos Florestais e Entorno.
The IBA of this species in Venezuela are, Yavita-Pimichin, Reserva Forestal Sipapo, Parque Nacional Serranรญa La Neblina, Parque Nacional Canaima, Campamento Junglaven, Yapacana National Park and Reserva Forestal Imataca.
The IBA of plumbeous euphonia in Suriname are, Bakhuys mountains and Centraal Suriname Nature Reserve. The IBA in Colombia are, Parque Nacional Natural Chiribiquete and Riberas de la Cuenca Baja del Rรญo Inรญrida.
Ecosystem and habitat
The plumbeous euphonia species has low forest dependence. They normally occur in altitudes between 0 to 1000 meters. The artificial ecosystems include heavily degraded forests.The natural ecosystems and habitats of these species include tropical and subtropical dry and moist shrublands, tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, dry savanna, rocky areas and scattered trees in savanna.
Diet and feeding behavior
The diet of the plumbeous euphonia species consists mainly of berries and fruits. Berries, small fruits and plant matter are their primary food. They are particularly adapted for feeding on mistletoe berries, which are poisonous.Reproduction and breeding habits
They appear to build dome shaped plant fiber nests with side entrance. Not much is known about their breeding season and their reproductive and nesting habits.Migration and movement patterns
The plumbeous euphonia species are non-migratory, resident birds. The populations in higher altitudes may descend to lower levels during winter.Post breeding, the juveniles may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. Within their range they may make local movements for feeding and breeding.
Plumbeous euphonia - Quick Facts
- Scientific name: Euphonia plumbea
- Species author: Du Bus, 1855
- Synonyms/Protonym: Euphonia plumbea du Bus de Gisignies, 1855
- Family: Fringillidae › Passeriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
- Vernacular names: English: Plumbeous euphonia, Chinese: ้ ็ฐๆญ้, French: Organiste plombรฉ, German: Grauorganist, Spanish: Eufonia plรบmbea, Russian: ะกะฒะธะฝัะพะฒะฐั ัััะพะฝะธั, Japanese: ใใคใคใญในใใฌใใฆใญใณใใงใฆ
- Other names: Plumbeous euphonia
- Distribution: Brazil, Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana
- Diet and feeding habits: small fruits, berries
- IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
Plumbeous euphonia - Conservation and survival
The global population size of the plumbeous euphonia has not been quantified. The overall population trend of the species is considered to be stable.In most of its range, this species is reported to be uncommon (Stotz et al. 1996). The generation length is 3.5 years. Its distribution size is about 2,730,000 sq.km.
Ecosystem degradation, ecosystem conversion and capture of adults and juveniles for pet-trade are the main threats that may endanger the survival of the species.
IUCN and CITES status
The plumbeous euphonia (E. plumbea) species does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the species and has listed it as of "Least Concern (LC)".
The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the plumbeous euphonia.
| Taxonomy and scientific classification of E. plumbea | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Fringillidae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Euphonia |
| Species: | E. plumbea |
| Binomial name: | E. plumbea |
| IUCN status listing: |
 Least Concern |
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/ (cropped)
Image author: Hector Bottai | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 as on 1/17/19
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Updated Jan 22, 2020
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