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
Sulawesi White-eye
Zosterops consobrinorum
A small songbird with a bold white eye-ring, dark eyes, a green back and forehead, a yellow throat and base to undertail, and a white belly. Groups and pairs roam woods, forest edges and patches, gardens, cultivated spaces, and scrub. Confined to lowlands of southeast Sulawesi. Occurs at lower elevations than Warbling White-eye, and differs from it in the dark eye and green forehead. Separated from Lemon-bellied White-eye by the white belly. Gives a slow-paced, high-pitched descending tinkling song, “chi-chiwit-chit-cher-cher.” Also high “zit” notes.
Golden-winged Manakin
Masius chrysopterus
Chunky little bird of Andean cloud forest from around 800–2,000 m. Male mostly jet black with fancy golden forecrown and black horns. Namesake golden wings are barely visible when perched; look for flashes when male flies from perch to perch. Female drab olive-green and similar to other female manakins, but note yellowish belly and throat, dull pinkish bill, and pinkish-red legs. Usually quiet and inconspicuous, staying in the lower levels of the forest. Males gather in small groups to display, when they make a high-pitched note followed by sputtering and snapping noises. Also listen for single croaking call.
Wandering Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna arcuata
Medium-sized dark whistling-duck with cream-colored flank plumes. Unlike Plumed Whistling-Duck, these plumes do not stick out and appear painted on the flanks. Often in smaller flocks around lakes, ponds, and dams. As the name suggests, note whistling call.
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