Orange-browed Hemispingus Kleinothraupis calophrys Scientific name definitions

Almost confined to the Andes of Bolivia, the restricted-range Orange-browed Hemispingus is also found in the department of Puno in adjacent southern Peru. Despite its relatively small range, the species is not considered to be threatened. This ‘dapper’-looking Hemispingus is typically found in patches of Chusquea bamboo within montane forest, mostly at elevations between 2900 and 3500 m. It is superficially similar to the entirely allopatric Black-capped Hemispingus (Hemispingus atropileus), which is widespread further north in the Andes. In addition to the broad, apricot-colored supercilium, which separates them, the Orange-browed Hemispingus also has less extensive black on the ear coverts. Both species forage low off the ground, and they appear to be quite similar in other aspects of their behavior too.

14–16 cm; 14·5–20·5 g. Has central crownstripe and broad stripe through eye back to nape jet-black, small orange-ochre spot embedded in black on rear ear-coverts ; long, broad supercilium bright orange-ochre; entire upperparts , including tail and upperwing-coverts, bright olive, tinged yellowish; primary coverts blackish, edged olive; flight-feathers dusky, outer feathers edged yellow, inner ones olive; side of head (below eye), throat and chest rich orange-ochre, fading to ochre-yellow on lower underparts; sides, flanks and undertail-coverts pale olive, faintly tinged yellowish; iris dark brown; bill dark grey, paler below; legs dark grey. Differs from K. atropileus and K. auricularis mainly in much broader and orange-ochre (not whitish) supercilium. Sexes similar. Immature is duller than adult, head mostly olive.

During foraging, high chittery trills  that descend somewhat (distinctive, but variable in length), sometimes given repeatedly by group-members; also a variety of high, soft “tic” and “ti” notes. No song yet recorded.