Giant Conebill
NameGiant Conebill
Common NameGiant Conebill
Scientific NameOreomanes fraseri
FamilyThraupidae
Wingspan (cm)25
Length (cm)15.5
Weight (g)22.5
Plumage DetailsThis species features a rufous-chestnut belly, flanks, and undertail coverts, contrasting with slaty-blue to gray upperparts and wings. The head is slaty-gray with a prominent white supercilium and a white malar stripe, while the throat is white. It possesses a slender, pointed dark bill.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations typically consist of thin, high-pitched, often buzzy or sibilant notes, sometimes delivered as a rapid trill or a sharp 'tseet' call.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsmountain, forest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeThe Giant Conebill is found in the Andes mountains of South America, with a somewhat patchy distribution from southern Colombia through Ecuador and Peru, extending into Bolivia and extreme northern Chile.
Identifying FeaturesRufous-chestnut underparts contrasting with slaty-gray upperparts, Prominent white supercilium and malar stripe, Slender, pointed bill, Association with high-altitude Polylepis forests
Description
The Giant Conebill is a distinctive tanager found in high-altitude Andean forests, particularly associated with Polylepis woodlands. It is known for its relatively large size among conebills and its striking plumage pattern, foraging actively for insects in the canopy.
