Green-and-black Fruiteater

Appearance

The green-and-black fruiteater is a plump, stocky bird with a length of about 18 cm. The adult male has a black head, throat and chest glossed with green and mid-green upper parts, with pale tips to the tertial feathers of the wings. There is a yellow rim to the dark chest and the underparts are otherwise yellowish, usually mottled or streaked with green. The female is similar to the male apart from the replacement of the black areas by green, and the absence of the yellow necklace. In both sexes, the iris of the eye is reddish-brown, and the legs and bill are orangish-red. The song is a high-pitched "ts-s-s-s-s-s-s" lasting for a few seconds, slowing and sometimes fading as it winds down.

Distribution

"P. riefferii" is native to the lower and mid-level mountain forests on the eastern side of the Andes in South America. Its range extends from southern Venezuela to northern Peru and its altitudinal range is between 1,500 and 2,700 m above sea level. This species is more often seen in small flocks than some other fruiteaters.

Status

Though somewhat uncommon, the green-and-black fruiteater has a very wide range. The population size has not been quantified but seems stable and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the conservation status of the bird as being of "least concern".

Habitat

"P. riefferii" is native to the lower and mid-level mountain forests on the eastern side of the Andes in South America. Its range extends from southern Venezuela to northern Peru and its altitudinal range is between 1,500 and 2,700 m above sea level. This species is more often seen in small flocks than some other fruiteaters.