Euphonia
| Euphonia | |
|---|---|
| Violaceous euphonia, Euphonia violacea | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Fringillidae |
| Subfamily: | Euphoniinae |
| Genus: | Euphonia Desmarest, 1806 |
| Type species | |
| Euphonia olivacea = Euphonia minuta Desmarest, 1806
| |
| Species | |
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See text. | |
Euphonias are members of the genus Euphonia, a group of Neotropical birds in the finch family. They and the chlorophonias comprise the subfamily Euphoniinae.
The genus name comes from Ancient Greek εὖ (eû), meaning "well, "good", and φωνή (phōnḗ), meaning "sound", and thus, "of good sound", due to the pleasing calls of the bird.
Most male euphonias are dark metallic blue above and bright yellow below. Many have contrasting pale foreheads and white undertails. Some have light blue patches on the head and/or orangish underparts. Females much more plain, predominantly olive-green all over. They range in overall length from 9 to 11 cm (3+1⁄2 to 4+1⁄2 in). They eat small fruit and berries, particularly mistletoe (Loranthaceae). Some species may also eat some insects.