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Orange-fronted Plushcrown Metopothrix aurantiaca Scientific name definitions

J. V. Remsen, Jr.
Version: 1.0 — Published March 4, 2020
Text last updated January 1, 2003

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Originally Appeared in

HBW Alive

Introduction

The Orange-fronted Plushcrown is a tiny, warbler-like Furnariid of forest edge and clearings in western Amazonia. Its coloration is unique among the Furnariids - greenish overall, yellow on the forecrown and throat, and orange on the legs and feet. It feeds on arthropods gleaned from vegetation, and possibly fruit or nectar. It occurs in pairs or small groups, which associate with mixed flocks in the canopy or middle strata. Songbird-like in most respects, the globular nest and simple song of this species are the only outward indications of its true relationships.

Field Identification

11 cm; 10–12 g. Diminutive furnariid, the only one with yellow and greenish plumage and yellow-orange legs. Has greenish-yellow supercilium behind eye, becoming yellow above eye, merging with yellow forehead, lores and indistinct eyering; faint narrow eyeline dark greenish-olive, auriculars dull greenish-olive; forehead bright yellow, blending to narrow band of orange, then to greenish-olive crown and upperparts, rump faintly paler; wings mostly dark olive fuscous, coverts and remiges with pale dull yellow-green margins, primary coverts dark fuscous; tail graduated, rectrices slightly stiffened basally, slightly pointed, dull greenish-olive; throat yellow, blending to dull yellowish-green breast, flanks and undertail-coverts, slightly paler on belly; iris brown to dark brown to grey; upper mandible black, lower mandible black to grey; tarsus and toes bright yellow-orange to yellow. Sexes alike. Juvenile (or possibly immature) has reduced orange and yellow on face.

Systematics History

Highly distinctive plumage so different from that of others in family that placement in Furnariidae was earlier questioned. Link to Acrobatornis suggested by nest architecture and voice. Monotypic.

Subspecies

Monotypic.

Distribution

SE Colombia (Putumayo, Amazonas), E Ecuador, E Peru, W Brazil (E to lower R Juruá and upper R Purus, S to Acre), and NE Bolivia (NE Beni).

Habitat

River-edge forest, old and middle-aged river islands, tall second growth, and edges of clearings in várzea and terra firme forest, rarely far from rivers; 150–650 m.

Movement

Resident.

Diet and Foraging

Mainly arthropods; recorded once as feeding on fruit, and once observed to feed at flowers (not known if for nectar or for insects). Occurs in pairs or in presumed family groups of 3–5 individuals, often in mixed-species flocks. Forages from mid-storey to canopy. Gleans arthropods from leaves (especially undersides) and twigs, frequently hanging acrobatically directly from leaf.

Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Song a slightly descending series of 3–5 evenly spaced, high, thin notes, lasts 1·5–2·5 seconds; call described as thin “tsweet-tsweet”, often repeated.

Breeding

Nest-building observed in Jan in Ecuador. Nest c. 50 cm in diameter, a mass of sticks, some c. 25 cm long, with side entrance, placed 4–20 m above ground. No further information.

Conservation Status

Conservation status on Birdlife LC Least Concern
Not globally threatened. Generally uncommon but locally common. Occurs in several protected areas, including Cuyabeno Reserve, in Ecuador, and Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve, in Peru. May benefit from limited deforestation, resulting in increasing its preferred edge habitats.
Distribution of the Orange-fronted Plushcrown - Range Map
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  • Year-round
  • Migration
  • Breeding
  • Non-Breeding
Distribution of the Orange-fronted Plushcrown

eBird and Macaulay Library

Recommended Citation

Remsen, Jr., J. V. (2020). Orange-fronted Plushcrown (Metopothrix aurantiaca), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.orfplu2.01
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