Photo: Nick Athanas / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Western Hemispingus
Sphenopsis ochracea
Western Hemispingus (Sphenopsis ochracea) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
The Western Hemispingus (Sphenopsis ochracea) is a member of the Thraupidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 16 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 Passeriformes
- Family Thraupidae Tanagers & Allies
- Genus Sphenopsis
- Species ochracea
Quick facts
- Weight
- 16 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Western Hemispingus is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Western Hemispingus is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Western Hemispingus (Sphenopsis ochracea) belongs to the Thraupidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA sw Colombia and w Ecuador.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 16 g, with a wing length of about 8 cm and a tail of around 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 1,282 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Western Hemispingus?
The Western Hemispingus is a small bird that weighs around 16 g.
Where does the Western Hemispingus live?
The Western Hemispingus is found across South America with a range covering SA sw Colombia and w Ecuador, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Western Hemispingus belong to?
The Western Hemispingus (Sphenopsis ochracea) belongs to the Thraupidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Western Hemispingus eat?
The Western Hemispingus is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Western Hemispingus migrate?
The Western Hemispingus is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Western Hemispingus 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 Western Hemispingus make?
1 real field recording of the Western Hemispingus — including its duet — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Western Hemispingus's range?
The Western Hemispingus has a mapped global range of about 1,282 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 Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.
Meet the Thraupidae
A field guide to the Thraupidae family — 394 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.