Visayan Pygmy-Babbler

Dasycrotapha pygmaea

A small bird of lowland and foothill forest and edge on Leyte and Samar, frequenting middle heights in the forest. Rufous-brown on the crown, back, wings, and tail, with a gray chest and a blackish throat and face, all with fine white streaking. Note white belly and orange eyes. Often joins mixed-species flocks and sometimes hangs upside down while feeding. Somewhat similar to Brown Tit-Babbler, but smaller, with a dark throat and chest streaked white. Voice includes a whistled “tweet! wee-too-wee-wit!

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Dasycrotapha pygmaea
Authority
(Ogilvie-Grant, 1896)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Zosteropidae
Genus
Dasycrotapha

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Rufous Sabrewing

Rufous Sabrewing

Pampa rufa

Very large and spectacular hummingbird of humid forest and brushy woodland in highlands of Chiapas and northern Central America; uncommon and local. Feeds mainly at low to middle levels, often inside shady understory. Male and female look similar, with thick, slightly arched black bill, pale rusty underparts, and large, broad tail with rusty base and buffy corners. No similar species in its localized range.

White-sided Hillstar

White-sided Hillstar

Oreotrochilus leucopleurus

Small hummingbird of the Andes from southern Bolivia through Argentina into central Chile; found in rocky and shrubby valleys, villages, and any open or semiopen areas with flowers. Often builds nest under eaves of buildings or bridges: a bulky cup of plant material and wool to insulate against cold nights. Fairly common. Readily identified in most of range by extensively white tail. Male has an emerald green gorget and a broad blue-black stripe on belly. Female is rather drab, but note slightly decurved bill, spotted throat, and tail pattern.

Semipalmated Plover

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

Small, orange-legged plover with solid dark breast band. Medium-brown upperparts are the color of wet sand, noticeably darker than Piping or Snowy Plovers. Look for short, blunt bill with orange base (often indistinct on juveniles). Feeds on mudflats and beaches, often mixed with other shorebirds. Even when in a flock, individuals are typically spread out rather than remaining a tight unit. Breeds on the tundra or rocky beaches at northern latitudes; winters to southern South America. Migrants are common and widespread, inland and coastal. Listen for distinctive two parted “chu-weep!” calls, and assorted chortles and chuckles.

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