Golden-collared Honeycreeper Iridophanes pulcherrimus Scientific name definitions

The Golden-collared Honeycreeper is an uncommon resident of humid montane forests of the Andes, from southern Colombia south to southeastern Peru. Its behavior is similar to that of many other species of small tanagers: singles or pairs forage for fruit and insects in the forest midstory and canopy, and usually are associated with mixed-species flocks dominated by other species of small tanagers. The classification of the Golden-collared Honeycreeper long has vexed ornithologists. This species has a distinctive slender, slightly decurved bill with a yellow mandible. The pattern of the plumage, however, with greenish yellow body plumage and a black hood and upper back, is generally similar to that of the Black-headed Tanager (Tangara cyanoptera); and for that reason the honeycreeper formerly was classified as a member of Tangara. Genetic evidence reveals, however, that the Golden-collared Honeycreeper is not a Tangara; instead, its closest relative is the Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza), which has very different plumage but which is similar in behavior and in the structure of the bill.

11 cm; 14–17 g. Small honeycreeper with thin, sharply pointed bill, bill longer than that of Tangara. Male nominate race has head and throat black, sharply set off from narrow yellow-orange nuchal collar and pale underparts; mantle and scapulars black, central mantle blotched pale greenish-straw; lower back to uppertail-coverts pale greenish-straw, rearmost uppertail-coverts black; wing and tail black, upperwing-coverts heavily edged rich cobalt-blue, flight-feathers and tertials edged blue (more broadly on tertials), tail narrowly edged cobalt-blue; underparts shining pale yellowish to greenish opal, whitish on belly; iris red to dark red; upper mandible blackish, lower mandible yellow; legs dark grey. Female is rather different from male, head dull greyish-olive becoming slightly paler greyish-olive on back and rump, narrow yellow-orange nuchal collar inconspicuous; wing-coverts and flight-feathers prominently edged bluish-green; breast and lower underparts dull greyish to yellowish-buff, sides tinged olive. Juvenile dingy brownish-grey, with slightly darker crown and side of head, and weakly marked yellow nuchal collar; immatures recall respective adults, but duller. Race <em>aureinucha</em> male differs from nominate in being slightly paler above, with sooty (not black) on head and dark areas of back, nape collar deeper golden, sides and flanks more buffy, bill noticeably longer.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Recorded as taking berries from Miconia, Cecropia catkins and nectar; also some insects, but non-quantitative observations suggest that it takes fewer insects than do Tangara species. Four stomachs contained vegetable matter, including fruit , seeds and flower petals. Captives accepted fruit, insects and nectar. A restless, nervous-acting species, usually seen singly or in pairs, occasionally in small family parties, seldom in larger groups. Typically, one or two associate with fast-moving mixed-species flocks containing Tangara, honeycreepers and other tanagers, and New World warblers (Parulidae). Forages mainly in upper levels of trees; rarely low, even along borders. Moves rapidly along branches and in foliage.

Call a high lisping buzzy “czee” or “psee”, sometimes doubled and often given over and over during foraging; call may be lengthened into buzz that rises, then falls, “czeeeéééeee”. No song described.

In Colombia, male and female carrying food (nest not located) in May in Pialapi Valley (near La Planada, in SW Nariño), pair carrying food in May and another pair with food in Jun at La Planada Reserve; pair with dependent juvenile 26th Sept at Río Ñambí Nature Reserve (SW Nariño), but only female fed young (after foraging for berries in Miconia and for insects at Clusia flowers); fledgling at end May in W Valle del Cauca. In captivity, builds cup nest; clutch 2 eggs, pale bluish-grey, rusty-brown streaks forming patch at large end, only female incubated, both sexes fed insects to young.