Silvery Grebe
Podiceps occipitalis
Widespread, small pale grebe of lakes and reservoirs, often with no surrounding vegetation; nests mainly in colonies, locally by the hundreds. The southern population also occurs in coastal waters in winter. Often looks mostly white at a distance, unlike the darker White-tufted Grebe. The southern population has a silvery-blond hood (reduced in young and nonbreeding birds) and a grayish throat while the northern Andean population has a blond-streaked cap, a white throat, and looks the same year-round. Also note vocal differences between southern and northern populations.
Identification
The silvery grebe is about 28 cm (11 in) in length. There are two different subspecies which differ in the colouring on their head and facial plumes. In the southern form, the ear plumes are yellowish and the side of the head and throat are grey. In the northern form, the ear plumes are grey and the side of the head and throat are white. Both have a crown that is black and the neck, chest and belly are white while the back is dark grey and the sides and flanks blackish. The beak and feet are black and the eye red. The northern form in particular is similar in appearance to the rare and highly localized Junin grebe (Podiceps taczanowskii), and their ranges overlap.
Taxonomy
Genus: Podiceps; Family: Podicipedidae; Order: Podicipediformes.
- Scientific name
- Podiceps occipitalis
- Authority
- Garnot, 1826
- Order
- Podicipediformes
- Family
- Podicipedidae
- Genus
- Podiceps
Range and habitat
The silvery grebe nests in Argentina, the Falkland Islands, Chile, and the western parts of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. The southern silvery grebe is migratory, in winter ranging north to Paraguay, southern Bolivia and southern Brazil and possibly also in Uruguay. Its habitat is freshwater lakes, lagoons, reservoirs and ponds. In the Andes it tends to have a preference for weakly alkaline lakes and is sometimes found foraging on hypersaline lakes. In Patagonia, it sometimes inhabits saline lakes where it can be found in the company of flamingoes.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Arabian Waxbill
Estrilda rufibarba
A mostly gray-and-buff barred waxbill with a crimson ‘bandit’s’ eye-patch and black tail and rump. A predominantly gray waxbill with buff-washed underparts and fine barring all over the body, as well as a crimson “bandit’s” eye-patch and black tail and rump. Bill is black, but has a red base during the breeding season. Female is darker below than the male, with a duller eye-patch. Juvenile is browner, less barred and has a dark eye-patch. A fairly common resident of riverine scrub, thickets on hillsides, waterside vegetation and agricultural cereal fields; typically forages in pairs and flocks. Calls a nasal “dzeet” often in concert with others, and a loud buzzing. Only waxbill with a red eye-patch on the Arabian Peninsula.
Tumbes Pewee
Contopus punensis
Small flycatcher found in dry and semi-humid forest in western Ecuador and western Peru. It is mostly gray with pale wingbars and a small crest. Some birds show a small amount of yellow on the belly. Prefers drier habitats than Eastern Wood-Pewee and Western Wood-Pewee, and only rarely found together with them. Tropical Pewee has shorter wings, a longer tail, and may show a faint spot between the eye and bill. Voice is very distinctive. Typical song in most of its range is a clear, whistled “pee, wee”; occasionally more notes are given. In the Marañón Valley it gives a different “chee-wit” or “chee-chee-widit”. Often encountered on an exposed branch, from which it makes regular sallies to hunt insects. It may return to the same perch repeatedly. Formerly considered a subspecies of Tropical Pewee.
Northern Slaty Brushfinch
Atlapetes schistaceus
Mostly gray brushfinch found from Venezuela to Ecuador. Bold head pattern with rufous crown, white throat, and black mustache stripe. Note also small white patch at base of primaries. A high elevation species, occurring in scrubby habitats from around 2,500-3,400m. Pairs usually forage at lower levels, sometimes accompanying a mixed-species flock. Relatively simple song usually heard only at dawn. More often heard is the complex descending chatter given as two birds approach each other.
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