Speckle-faced Parrot
Pionus tumultuosus
A fairly scarce but widespread Andean parrot, occurring from western Venezuela to Bolivia. This parrot has a plain green body with red undertail coverts and yellowish bill. Head color varies from slaty blue to bright pinkish-maroon with variable amounts of white speckling, sometimes looking like it was dusted with thick snow. Pairs or small flocks occur in montane forest, typically from around 2,000 m up to treeline. This is higher on average than other montane Pionus parrots like Red-billed, although there is some overlap. Often seen flying overhead, where the deep wingbeats eliminate other genera of parrots (like Scaly-naped Parrot, which has shallower wingbeats typical of Amazona parrots).
Identification
The speckle-faced parrot has been split into the following species: Plum-crowned parrot, Pionus tumultuosus White-capped parrot, Pionus seniloides
Taxonomy
Genus: Pionus; Family: Psittacidae; Order: Psittaciformes.
- Scientific name
- Pionus tumultuosus
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Pionus
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Short-bearded Honeyeater
Melionyx nouhuysi
A long, slender honeyeater of subalpine forest and shrubland in western New Guinea. All sooty gray-black plumage with a long tail and a fairly long, curved bill, 2 white tufts emanating from the base of the bill, and a yellow-orange wattle at the back of the eye. Sometimes some white scaling on the belly. Often seen perching on top of bushes. Similar to Sooty Melidectes, but Short-bearded Melidectes is larger and has a white beard. Gives a long, dry chatter.
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos
Large and impressive raptor with a range encompassing much of the Northern Hemisphere. Mostly dark brown; the namesake golden nape can be hard to see, especially from below. Immatures have a white patch on the underwing and a white tail base. Compared to similar immature sea eagles such as White-tailed and Bald Eagle, lacks significant white mottling on the belly. Also note the relatively short-necked profile. Often holds wings in slight V-shape when soaring. Hunts mainly mammals in remote, open country from grasslands and steppes to mountainous areas.
Blue-fronted Flycatcher
Eumyias hoevelli
Male shows an entirely blue hood, an olive back, and rufous underparts, including the belly. Female lacks the blue hood. Juvenile is brown and speckled all over. Singles and pairs inhabit the understory of mountain forest, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks. Confined to Sulawesi. Blue throat of male separates it from Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher. Brown back and rufous belly of female distinguishes her from Sulawesi Blue, Snowy-browed, and Rufous-throated Flycatchers. Frequently sings a thrush-like, melodious warble, medium in pitch, with an abrupt end.
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