Rufous Piha
Lipaugus unirufus
Uncommon in humid evergreen forest of tropical lowlands, where lives mainly at middle to upper levels in forest canopy. Presence often revealed by loud whistled “PEE-HAH” calls, which can be given in response to loud noises such as a sharp handclap. Often perches still and rather upright for long periods, sallying out occasionally for fruit and small invertebrates. Plumage bright rusty overall, with paler eyering and slightly bushy face. Rufous Mourner looks very similar but smaller and sleeker.
Identification
The adult rufous piha is about 23.5 cm (9.3 in) long and the sexes look similar. The upper parts are a uniform reddish-cinnamon and the underparts are similar but a slightly paler shade, the throat being the palest part. The bill is broad and either flesh-coloured or brown at the base, and there is sometimes a slight ring round the eye. This bird could be confused with the speckled mourner (Laniocera rufescens) but that bird is shorter and more slender, with a slimmer bill and a relatively longer tail; the male rufous piha utters various piercing, whistling calls.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lipaugus unirufus
- Authority
- Sclater, PL, 1860
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cotingidae
- Genus
- Lipaugus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The rufous piha breeds between March and August in Costa Rica, there probably being two clutches in the year. The diet consists largely of fruits, such as those of laurels and palms, and invertebrates such as insects and spiders. It lives in the middle and lower storeys of humid forest and seldom descends to ground level. Much of its food is plucked while it hovers, and anything gathered on the ground is carried aloft before being eaten. It often sits lethargically on a suitable perch for long periods, sallying out at intervals to snap up passing insect prey.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Ruby-crowned Tanager
Tachyphonus coronatus
Medium-sized tanager found in the middle to upper levels of forest edges, light woodlands, plantations, and urban parks; sometimes visits feeding stations. Males are glossy black with a concealed red crown and a white spot on the shoulder. In flight, shows white underwings. Females have a gray-brown head and are otherwise mostly cinnamon colored, paler below than above.
Gabon Woodpecker
Dendropicos gabonensis
A medium-sized woodpecker of forest edge, often seen probing and prying into wood for insects. Shows a solid green back and upper tail, a red crown, dark cheeks, and heavily spotted or streaked underparts. This combination of plumage characteristics is unique within its range, where other green-backed woodpeckers co-occur. Call is a buzzing “z-zeep” or a repeated harsh “zaa zaa.”
Cuban Bullfinch
Melopyrrha nigra
Endemic to Cuba. A small flocking species of brushy and wooded habitats. Note the stout bill with curved culmen, and the white slash along the front of the folded wing. Male is glossy black, female is very dark blackish-gray. No similar species occurs in its range. Song is a complex buzzy trill that drops in pitch and is followed by various chips and thin “tsi” notes. Calls include a hard chip, often rapidly doubled, and a high buzzy “tsit.”
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