Besra

Tachyspiza virgata

A medium-sized Accipiter of forested areas. Adult grayish brown above with a grayer head and neck, pale underparts with orange barring and blotches, and distinctive dark line in center of white throat. Coloration overall recalls Crested Goshawk, but the goshawk is much bulkier. Juvenile browner overall, with vertical brown streaking on the breast and belly.

Taxonomy

Ten subspecies are recognised:

Scientific name
Tachyspiza virgata
Authority
(Temminck, 1822)
Order
Accipitriformes
Family
Accipitridae
Genus
Tachyspiza

Range and habitat

Migration
Vertical migration

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Blue-throated Goldentail

Blue-throated Goldentail

Chlorestes eliciae

Uncommon and local, rather small hummingbird of humid forest edge, plantations, and woodlands in tropical lowlands and foothills. Perches and feeds mainly at middle to upper levels in shady understory and at edges. Note the bright red bill and greenish-gold tail (which often looks grayish). Male has violet gorget. Female has violet throat spotting, but often these areas look rather dull and grayish unless they catch the light.

Flutist Wren

Flutist Wren

Microcerculus ustulatus

Tiny, mouse-like bird of tepui forest understory. Entirely dark rufous-brown with a stubby tail. Found only in humid, mossy forest on tepui slopes, mostly above 1000 meters, where it is difficult to see, staying close to the ground as it crawls over roots, rocks, and large branches. Usually encountered alone and does not follow mixed-species flocks. Most easily detected by its extraordinary song: a variable series of short, pure whistles, rising and falling but usually ending with several notes on the same pitch; humanlike and easily imitated. May pop into view in response to imitation or playback, bobbing nervously before disappearing. Could be confused with Tepui Wren, but is darker brown overall and lacks buffy eyebrow.

Vermilion Cardinal

Vermilion Cardinal

Cardinalis phoeniceus

A garish scarlet bird sporting a dramatic spiky crest and a hefty gray bill. Male overall brilliant red with black chin; female brown, gray-headed, with red crest and tail. Often found in pairs, perched in erect posture on the top of bushes or on exposed branches. Common in desert scrub and dry forests in the lowlands. Voice a melodious and slow whistled series. Unmistakable in arid regions of northern Venezuela and extreme northeastern Colombia.

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