Two special attributes partly define euphonias. Their stomachs are especially adapted for eating mistletoe berries (and other berries) and they build domed nests with side entrances. Nests are usually well concealed in epiphytic plants growing on tree limbs, on steep banks in nooks well surrounded by dense vegetation.
Spot-crowned Euphonia Euphonia imitans was commonly seen at the feeders at Las Cruces, Costa Rica. This species is endemic to Panama and Costa Rica. The male is a strikingly handsome little bird.
The female no less so, and quite distinctive in plumage not resembling the male at all.
We hardly saw this bird anywhere else so its distribution appears to be somewhat confined - or perhaps we just didn't roam around the area sufficiently to spot it elsewhere.
