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The Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, also known as the Sooty-capped Bush Tanager, is a diminutive passerine that boasts a modest length of 13.5 cm and a weight of a mere 20 grams. This bird is adorned with a blackish head, complemented by a striking white supercilium and a grey throat. Its upperparts are cloaked in an olive hue, while the underparts are a vibrant yellow, transitioning to white on the belly. A particular population near the Irazu-Turrialba region exhibits a greyer plumage with an absence of yellow on the underparts.
To identify the adult Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, look for its darker head and pronounced supercilium, which set it apart from the common Chlorospingus. Immature birds present with a browner head, a less vivid olive-tinged supercilium, and a duller coloration below.
This species thrives in the mossy mountain forests, secondary growth, and adjacent bushy clearings, typically found from 1600 meters altitude to regions above the timberline.
The Sooty-capped Chlorospingus is an endemic resident breeder, gracing the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama with its presence.
These birds are sociable creatures, often seen in small groups or as part of a mixed-species feeding flock.
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