Blue-and-yellow Tanager

Rauenia bonariensis

Attractive bird found in a variety of semiopen and lightly wooded habitats, mainly in drier areas of the Andes, as well as across the lowlands from northern Argentina to southern Brazil. Usually in pairs or small groups, not with mixed-species flocks. Forages low to high in shrubs and trees. Male is colorful, with a bright blue head and yellow underparts and rump; back is greenish in Chile and north in the Andes to Ecuador, but black in eastern lowlands. Female is rather drab and is best identified by stout bill and presence of males.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Rauenia bonariensis
Authority
(Gmelin, JF, 1789)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thraupidae
Genus
Rauenia

Range and habitat

Migration
Complete migrants

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Streaked Rosefinch

Streaked Rosefinch

Carpodacus rubicilloides

Large, bulky rosefinch. Male is pinkish-red below with a streaked brown back. Female is streaky dust-brown all over. Both sexes are very similar to Great Rosefinch; look out for dark streaking on the back in both, as well as smaller white, more solid-looking white spots on the underparts of the male. Breeds in dry open expanses with sparse scrubby vegetation at around 3700-5200 meters. Winters in similar habitat, sometimes descending to lower elevations. Song consists of somewhat hoarse whistled notes. Gives a sparrow-like “chweep” and a shorter “chep.”

Plain-colored Seedeater

Plain-colored Seedeater

Catamenia inornata

Small finchlike bird with a large range from western Venezuela to Argentina. Primary found at high elevations in the Andes, but occurs lower towards the southern part of its range. Male is gray overall with a stout pinkish bill and rusty undertail coverts. Female is brownish and streaky with a dingy bill and warmer undertail coverts. Look for pairs or flocks in open habitats including paramo.

Timor Blue Flycatcher

Timor Blue Flycatcher

Eumyias hyacinthinus

A distinctive chunky, upright flycatcher. Male is blue-and-orange with an entirely blue head, throat, and upperparts and a contrasting orange underside from the chest down. Female is also distinctive, with a blue tail, brown upperparts, and an entirely pale orange underside, including the throat. Inconspicuous; single birds inhabit the understory of forest, wooded areas, and patches of trees in the lowlands and foothills. Confined to the eastern Lesser Sundas. Song is a short, rapid series of jumbled rising and falling notes of medium pitch.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.