Rufous-throated Tanager

Ixothraupis rufigula

Distinctive small tanager with mostly black head, orange throat, and bold black spotting on underparts. Upperparts are dark with a scaled look. A foothill species, occurring from around 600–1,500 m on the west slope of the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador. Pairs or small groups forage with mixed-species flocks, in the middle to upper levels of forest and edge. Visits fruit feeders.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Ixothraupis rufigula
Authority
(Bonaparte, 1851)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thraupidae
Genus
Ixothraupis

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Mourning Wheatear

Mourning Wheatear

Oenanthe lugens

Rather large and powerful-looking for a wheatear. Sexes similar. Differs from Pied and Eastern Black-eared Wheatears by stronger bill, short wings, prominent white tail flash (visible only in flight), and and evenly broad black terminal tail band. Undertail coverts always buff or rusty. Feeds on arthropods on rocky slopes and in desert wadis; in winter descends to plains and valleys. Male sings a soft, flutey, and musical verse from a prominent rock or in flight.

Blue-throated Roller

Blue-throated Roller

Eurystomus gularis

A large-billed roller of primary and secondary forests that is often found sitting on branches overlooking clearings or in the canopy. Distinctive, with a bronze-colored body, a blue throat, a pale yellowish bill, and blue tail and flight feathers. Resembles and occurs alongside the related Broad-billed Roller, but Blue-throated Roller differs in its blue throat and bronzier body. Voice is a harsh “kleek,” often delivered noisily in rapid succession.

Green-throated Mango

Green-throated Mango

Anthracothorax viridigula

Large, dark hummingbird found in coastal regions and along large rivers. Use caution eliminating the more widespread Black-throated Mango, which often occurs in the same habitats; female-plumaged birds in particular may not be safely separable. Found in mangroves, abandoned plantations, swampy forests, and urban areas, often at higher levels in flowering trees, where it feeds on nectar and hawks for tiny flying insects. In proper light, green throat of male is diagnostic. Tail color is useful if bird can be studied at length; Green-throated’s tail is mostly purple, with brownish central tail feathers (tail of Black-throated is more chestnut, but subject to variation depending on light).

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