Pardusco
Nephelornis oneilli
An odd, warbler-like bird found near treeline in the Andes of northern and central Peru. Pardusco means “brownish” in Spanish, and that fits the bird very well. It is best identified by its lack of field marks, its small and pointy bill, and its specialized habitat. Behavior is also a good clue, as it is typically found in little flocks that chatter and squeak as they move through elfin forest, often accompanied by other species.
Identification
The pardusco (Nephelornis oneilli) is a species of tanager that is endemic to woodland near the timberline in the Andes of central Peru. It is the only member of the genus Nephelornis. This small olive-brown bird is typically seen in groups, which sometimes join mixed species flocks. It has a small range, but is locally fairly common, and consequently considered to be of least concern by BirdLife International and IUCN.
Taxonomy
The pardusco was formally described in 1976 by the American ornithologists George Lowery and Dan Tallman from specimens collected in the Department of Huánuco of central Peru. They introduced the monospecific genus Nephelornis creating the binomial name Nephelornis oneilli. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek nephelē meaning "cloud" with ornis meaning "bird". The specific epithet was chosen to honour the ornithologist John Patton O'Neill. A 2014 molecular phylogenetic study of the tanager family Thraupidae found that the pardusco is a member of the subfamily Poospizinae and has a sister relationship to the black-backed bush tanager in the monospecific genus Urothraupis. The pardusco is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.
- Scientific name
- Nephelornis oneilli
- Authority
- Lowery & Tallman, 1976
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Nephelornis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Nondescript manakin that may be mistaken for a flycatcher. Has an olive-green back, a grayish throat, and yellowish underparts. The yellow crown patch is typically concealed. Found in the interior of humid forests, occasionally venturing to the edges. A common call is a startled “yo-dee-wo-dee”. The similar Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin has a conspicuous yellow crown patch, occupies different edge habitats, and has a more complex song.
Oriental Skylark
Alauda gulgula
Chunky brown songbird with a weak crest, typically found on the ground in open fields and meadows. Darker above than below, with fine black streaking on the chest and light chestnut ear coverts with dark border. Very similar to Eurasian Skylark, with which it shares much of its range, but Oriental has buffy, not white, outer tail edges and trailing edge of wing. Breeding males “skylark,” singing a series of variable notes while hovering high above the territory.
Spiny-faced Antshrike
Xenornis setifrons
This antshrike is distinctive within its small range in eastern Panama and extreme northwest Colombia. Male is dark gray below and brown above with bold buffy spotting on wing coverts with a streaked back and crown. Female is similar, but brown below. Occurs in lowlands and foothills, where pairs skulk around in the understory of humid forest, often following a mixed-species flock. Listen for a rising series of piercing whistles.
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