Scarlet-browed Tanager
Heterospingus xanthopygius
Distinctive tanager found in lowlands and foothills from eastern Panama to northwest Ecuador. Male is black with a bold red stripe behind the eye, a white patch on the side of the breast, and a yellow shoulder and rump that are difficult to see, especially on perched birds. Females are gray overall instead of black and lacks the red eye stripe, but does show white patch on the side of the breast. Pairs or small groups are found in the canopy of forest, edges, and second growth, sometimes perching quite conspicuously. Often follows mixed-species flocks.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Heterospingus xanthopygius
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1855)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Heterospingus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Nile Valley Sunbird
Hedydipna metallica
Tiny sunbird with a relatively short bill. Male is unmistakable with a glossy green head, throat and back, a bright yellow belly, and extremely long thin tail. Females are yellowish below with a short tail and a whitish throat. Breeds in gardens, plantations, oases, and acacia scrub. Vocalizations similar to Palestine Sunbird, but both calls and song have a buzzing quality.
Chatham Islands Petrel
Pterodroma axillaris
Gadfly petrel of medium size. Dark gray upperparts and white below with a diagonal black bar from the edge of the wing to the black base of the underwing. Has a black bill, a dark eye-patch, and pink legs and feet. Breeds only on the Chatham Islands, but can forage up 3000 km offshore. Migrates to deep waters off the South American coast. Distinguished from Black-winged Petrel by the reduced black bar on the underwing; Mottled Petrel is similar but larger, with a dark belly, lacking the diagonal bar on the wing.
Soft-plumaged Petrel
Pterodroma mollis
Attractive petrel with a black mask, largely gray above and white below, with a diagnostic dark breast band. Note the heavy dark bill. In flight, exhibits gray underwings and gray and dark brown M-pattern on the back. The rare dark morph has dark underparts, but still retains the distinctive complete breast band, which is the most useful mark separating this species from Fea’s and Zino’s Petrels. Usually encountered well offshore, in towering roller-coaster flights; sometimes follows boats.
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