Giant Conebill
Conirostrum binghami
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyThraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
- GenusConirostrum (Conebills)
- SpeciesConirostrum binghami (Giant Conebill)
About the Giant Conebill
The giant conebill (Conirostrum binghami) is a small passerine bird, one of the tanager family. It is closely related to the regular conebills Conirostrum though it differs in its larger size and nuthatch-like foraging habits.
The giant conebill is 15 centimetres (5.9 in) in length and weighs 22–27 grams (0.78–0.95 oz). It is grey above, deep chestnut below, and with a white patch on the cheeks. It is found in the Andes from Colombia to Ecuador, and Peru to Bolivia. It lives in Polylepis trees of the family Rosaceae.
The giant conebill lives individually or in groups of 5 or less. It peels bark off Polylepis trees to find insects. It also eats aphids and sugary solutions secreted by Gynoxys. The species is a seasonal breeder, nesting at the start of the rainy season (September to December in Bolivia where it has been studied). The nest is an open cup set on the branches of Polylepis, and the average clutch size is 1.8 eggs. Both parents incubate the eggs, feed the chicks and remove the fecal sacs.
Its decline is attributed to the destruction and fragmentation of Polylepis woodland. The taxonomy is complicated. The giant conebill was formally described in 1860 by the... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Giant Conebill in Huascarán National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Huascarán National Park
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Conirostrum cinereum
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Bright-rumped Yellow Finch
Sicalis uropigyalis
Band-tailed Sierra-Finch
Porphyrospiza alaudina
Blue-and-yellow Tanager
Rauenia bonariensis
Plain-tailed Warbling-Finch
Microspingus alticola
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cajas National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 2 | Huascarán National Park | 🇵🇪 Peru | |
| 3 | Lauca National Park | 🇨🇱 Chile |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Giant Conebill in Huascarán National Park?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Giant Conebill sighting in Huascarán National Park, based on 102 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Giant Conebill in Huascarán National Park?
July has the highest sighting rate for Giant Conebill in Huascarán National Park in our monthly data.