Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher

Ptiliogonys caudatus

Striking bird unlikely to be confused with any other species. Very long tail and obvious crest stand out, in addition to soft blue-gray body with yellow-green head and flanks. Sometimes seen singly, but can also gather in flocks when fruiting trees (especially mistletoe) are abundant. Found in montane forest and edges.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Ptiliogonys caudatus
Authority
Cabanis, 1861
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Ptilogonatidae
Genus
Ptiliogonys

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Southern Red Bishop

Southern Red Bishop

Euplectes orix

A small, dumpy sparrow-like weaver. The breeding male is a mix of velvety vermilion and black; the narrow black forecrown is diagnostic. The female and non-breeding male are nondescript, with a short tail and strong buff eyebrow, and are difficult to tell apart from other bishops. Pairs and small flocks are always close to water when breeding, and mixed-species colonies occur in reedbeds and swampy grassland, but they disperse into adjacent scrub in the non-breeding season, often in flocks. The song is an extended fizzling sizzle. Breeding males of other red bishop species either have no black forehead, or have a much more extensive black crown.

Tui Parakeet

Tui Parakeet

Brotogeris sanctithomae

Small, short-tailed parakeet of lowland rainforest. Green with yellow forehead patch, light eye, and peach-colored bill. Also has blue wing feathers visible in flight, like many small green parakeets. Almost always found in pairs or groups, and is quite loud in flight, giving harsh “kreet” calls. Similar to Cobalt-winged Parakeet, but has a light eye, a yellow forehead, and slightly harsher calls.

Bananaquit

Bananaquit

Coereba flaveola

Tiny, active, warbler-like bird of tropical and subtropical forest edge, woodland, and gardens. Feeds on nectar and fruit, and in some areas visits bird feeders. Variable plumage across range, especially in the Caribbean, but always note small size and sharp, slightly decurved bill. Most populations have a bold white eyebrow and yellow underparts. Throat color varies from pale gray on mainland (Mexico to South America) to white on some island populations (including Cozumel) or sooty gray (Greater Antilles). Some birds in the Lesser Antilles are entirely black. Song is variable across range but usually high-pitched and scratchy.

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