Rufous-throated Solitaire
Myadestes genibarbis
A medium-sized resident of dense, moist montane forests. Its appearance is unique, with its largely leaden gray plumage contrasting with a brilliant brick-red throat and lower belly (note: on Saint Vincent it is largely black above). Perches motionlessly, except when sallying forth after insects and fruit. Usually first located by its voice. Song is a series of drawn out, uninflected flutelike whistles given at varying pitches; call is similar, but notes are shrill.
Taxonomy
The subspecies M. g. sibilans is sometimes considered a full species, as the Saint Vincent solitaire (Myadestes sibilans).
- Scientific name
- Myadestes genibarbis
- Authority
- Swainson, 1838
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Myadestes
Range and habitat
It is found Jamaica and Hispanoila, and in the Lesser Antilles on Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gray-rumped Swallow
Pseudhirundo griseopyga
Slim, long-tailed swallow with pale underparts and dark blue upperparts. The gray rump is not conspicuous when perched but can be discerned in flight. Found in grassland and open savanna, usually near water. Frequently in small flocks. Notable for its unusual habit of nesting in rodent burrows! Similar to Common House Martin, but has a gray rather than white rump, and a longer, slimmer tail.
Everett's Scops-Owl
Otus everetti
A fairly small owl of lowland and foothill forest. Dark brown on the back with barred wing feathers, grayish underparts, a darker chest with black markings, a pale gray facial disk bordered with a black line, and pale ear tufts forming a V. Occurs together with Giant and Mindanao Scops-Owls, but Everett’s is much smaller than Giant and slightly larger and paler than Mindanao, with longer ear tufts. Voice includes a descending series ending in a growl, “oowok! oowok! oowok! grrrr.”
Philippine Swiftlet
Aerodramus mearnsi
Uncommon dark swiftlet. Endemic to a smattering of the Philippines islands, from Luzon to Mindanao to Palawan. Habitat can be helpful in identifying this confusing species; generally favors ridges and slopes in montane and submontane areas above 700-800 meters. Readily confused with significantly larger Ameline Swiftlet, but present species has a more squared-off-looking tail (fork is shallow and often unnoticeable), tends to fly lower and more erratically, and more often forms flocks. Combination of dark rump, unglossed dark back, and medium size separates this species from Gray-rumped Swiftlet, Pygmy Swiftlet, and Ridgetop Swiftlet. Frequently calls while in flight, giving a squeaky chattering twitter.
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