Photo: John Gould / William Matthew Hart / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Olivaceous Thornbill
Chalcostigma olivaceum
Olivaceous Thornbill (Chalcostigma olivaceum) — Hummingbirds of South America.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Olivaceous Thornbill (Chalcostigma olivaceum) is a member of the Trochilidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 8.2 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Apodiformes
- Family Trochilidae Hummingbirds
- Genus Chalcostigma
- Species olivaceum
Quick facts
- Weight
- 8.2 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Olivaceous Thornbill is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Olivaceous Thornbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Olivaceous Thornbill (Chalcostigma olivaceum) is a member of the Trochilidae family, within the order Apodiformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA wc Peru to wc Bolivia.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 8.2 g, with a wing length of about 8.1 cm and a tail of around 5.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 65,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Olivaceous Thornbill?
The Olivaceous Thornbill is a very small bird that weighs around 8.2 g.
Where does the Olivaceous Thornbill live?
The Olivaceous Thornbill is found across South America with a range covering SA wc Peru to wc Bolivia, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Olivaceous Thornbill belong to?
The Olivaceous Thornbill (Chalcostigma olivaceum) belongs to the Trochilidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Olivaceous Thornbill eat?
The Olivaceous Thornbill is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Olivaceous Thornbill migrate?
The Olivaceous Thornbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Olivaceous Thornbill endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Olivaceous Thornbill make?
1 real field recording of the Olivaceous Thornbill — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Olivaceous Thornbill's range?
The Olivaceous Thornbill has a mapped global range of about 65,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Best Hummingbird Feeders
How to choose a hummingbird feeder — the two main styles compared, the right sugar-water mix, and how to keep it clean so the birds stay safe. A decision framework with the hummingbird species in the Birbs encyclopedia.
Meet the Trochilidae
A field guide to the Trochilidae family — 366 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.