The goldenface is a small whistler, around 13 cm in length and weighing 14–19 g. The plumage of the species is striking; the nominate subspecies (Pachycare flavogriseum flavogriseum) has a slate-grey back, tail, wing, cap and back of the neck and bright yellow face, throat, breast and belly.
From the crown to the shoulder, the face is bordered with a black line and the tertial feathers of the wing are tipped with black and white.
The eye and bill are black and the legs are pink.
There is a small amount of sexual dimorphism, with the female differing from the male in having a dusky patch on the face.
Immature birds of either sexes resemble the female.
The three other subspecies resemble the nominate subspecies with minor differences.
The subspecies P. f. subaurantium has darker upperparts and a slight orange tint, and P. f. subpallidum has much paler upperparts and the most yellow undersides.
The identification of goldenface study skins held in museum collections is complicated by the tendency of the plumage colours used to identify the subspecies fading after death.
The goldenface is a small whistler, around 13 cm in length and weighing 14–19 g. The plumage of the species is striking; the nominate subspecies (Pachycare flavogriseum flavogriseum) has a slate-grey back, tail, wing, cap and back of the neck and bright yellow face, throat, breast and belly. From the crown to the shoulder, the face is bordered with a black line and the tertial feathers of the wing are tipped with black and white. The eye and bill are black and the legs are pink. There is a small amount of sexual dimorphism, with the female differing from the male in having a dusky patch on the face. Immature birds of either sexes resemble the female. The three other subspecies resemble the nominate subspecies with minor differences. The subspecies P. f. subaurantium has darker upperparts and a slight orange tint, and P. f. subpallidum has much paler upperparts and the most yellow undersides. The identification of goldenface study skins held in museum collections is complicated by the tendency of the plumage colours used to identify the subspecies fading after death.
Goldenface