Mountain Illadopsis
Illadopsis pyrrhoptera
Chunky, mid-sized, remarkably drab bird. Found in the understory of montane forest, usually in small groups. Very shy and skulking, rarely seen unless expressly searched for. Most often detected by voice: a descending series of whistles, usually given together by a group of birds, some of which add lower “chuk” notes. Similar to African Hill Babbler, but has a dull-brown rather than rich rufous-brown back. Also very similar to other illadopsises, but generally found at higher elevations, and has a less distinct white throat.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Illadopsis pyrrhoptera
- Authority
- (Reichenow & Neumann, 1895)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pellorneidae
- Genus
- Illadopsis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Moustached Grass-Warbler
Melocichla mentalis
Large, unusual brown warbler with a black tail, pale eye, and black “moustache” mark. Found in patches of tall, thick grass within savanna and scrub habitats. Generally skulking, and most often seen when it sits up to sing. The song is a chatty, warbling jumble with a distinctive fast cadence. Similar in overall shape and habitat to Fan-tailed Grassbird, but much larger, with a pale eye and black facial streak.
Ward's Trogon
Harpactes wardi
A sluggish bird of mature tropical hill forests. A small head and prominent pale eye-ring give it a comically surprised appearance. Male has a wine-purple back, a scarlet belly, and a red plush patch on the forehead. Female is brownish with a yellow cap and underparts. Like other trogons, usually still and hard to detect on a low or mid-level perch, from which it sallies out to take insects, fruits, and seeds. Song is a series of bubbling hoots that accelerate and rise, then taper off gradually towards the end.
Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird
Chrysuronia lilliae
Rare, endangered, and poorly known hummingbird restricted to mangroves and adjacent scrubby areas along the Colombian coast. Male has sapphire underparts extending from throat all the way to belly, and lacks the distinct hood typical of the more common Sapphire-throated Hummingbird. Female’s plumage is not known with certainty, but likely resembles female Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, which has white central underparts bordered by green flanks, and white tail tips.
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