Yellow-crowned Euphonia vs Thick-billed Euphonia

In short

The Yellow-crowned Euphonia and Thick-billed Euphonia can be distinguished by the male's head markings: the Yellow-crowned has a yellow crown, while the Thick-billed features a yellow forecrown patch extending behind the eye. Females of both species are similar in being duller, but the Thick-billed female is more olive above.

Identification tips

• Look for the yellow crown on male Yellow-crowned Euphonia versus the yellow forecrown patch on male Thick-billed Euphonia.
• Note the glossy steel blue upperparts of the male Thick-billed Euphonia.
• Females are similar but check for a more uniform olive tone in the Thick-billed female.

Plumage

Male Yellow-crowned Euphonia has a yellow crown, whereas the male Thick-billed Euphonia has a yellow forecrown patch that extends behind the eye. Both species have bright yellow underparts, but the Thick-billed male is glossy steel blue above. Females of both species are olive above and yellow below, but the Thick-billed female is more uniformly olive.

Habitat

Both species are found in similar habitats, including secondary woodland, forest borders, and scrubby clearings and gardens.