Hepatic Tanager
Piranga flava
Large, stocky tanager. Males are red with dusty wash on upperparts and sides (especially on northern populations); females are muted yellowish. Both sexes are brightest on the throat and crown. Also note stout bill and dark lores. Several separate populations occur from the southwestern U.S. to South America, probably comprising multiple different species. Northern birds prefer mountainous areas with mixed pine-oak forest. South American birds found in a variety of forested habitats, from open woodlands in the lowlands to scrubby areas in the high Andes. Most similar to Summer Tanager, but grayer tones to plumage and usually different habitat. Song is sweet like American Robin: mostly clear phrases with some hoarser notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Piranga flava
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cardinalidae
- Genus
- Piranga
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Dusky Twinspot
Euschistospiza cinereovinacea
Unusual, very dark twinspot with small and faint “twin spots” on the belly. The red rump is conspicuous in flight. Found in grassy areas along forest edge and in lush cultivation. Not very vocal, but gives quiet twitters and a “tsip” call. Similar in size and overall coloration to Dusky Crimsonwing, but shows red on the flanks and none on the face.
Ornate Sunbird
Cinnyris ornatus
Tiny and active sunbird of forest edges, parks, and gardens; the most common urban sunbird throughout most of its expansive distribution; ranges from Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Lesser Sundas. Both sexes have a plain olive back, a yellow belly, and white tail edges that are flared out in flight. The male flashes an iridescent blue throat while the female has a yellow throat and eyebrow. Female Brown-throated Sunbird also has a yellow belly, but it is larger with a thicker bill and lacks the white tail patches of Ornate. Gives a rising “dwee”, a familiar sound even in cities. Formerly grouped with other, closely related species under “Olive-backed Sunbird.”
Gray-crowned Flatbill
Tolmomyias poliocephalus
Small, stocky flycatcher with broad, flat bill. Occupies canopy and midstory of forest edges, gardens, and tall second growth in humid lowlands. Has gray crown, pale yellow underparts, and yellow edgings to wing feathers (but not wingbars). Very similar to a few other species of flycatchers, particularly Yellow-margined and Yellow-olive Flycatchers; best distinguishing features include its pale eye, lack of a yellow patch at the base of the primaries, and voice. Call is a loud, quickly rising whistle: “tuee?”, higher and cleaner than similar calls from species like Brownish Twistwing and Blue-backed Manakin, but not as high as the “twee-twee” of Purple-throated Euphonia.
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