Green-backed Camaroptera
Camaroptera brachyura
A small, rotund, wren-like warbler of the understory that often leans forward and cocks its short narrow tail. This species has red eyes, olive-green wings, and gray-white underparts. There are two groups that are sometimes treated as different species: (1) “green-backed” birds along the eastern seaboard of Africa from southeast Kenya to coastal South Africa; and (2) “gray-backed” birds in the remainder of Africa. Pairs inhabit thickets and riverine woodland in arid and moist savanna, forest, and forest edge, hopping about, often low to the ground, searching for small insects. Their two common vocalizations are a nasal “meehrrp” alarm call that gives them the moniker “bleating warbler” and a strident, repeated snapping “strik-strik-strik-strik-strik” song.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Camaroptera brachyura
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Genus
- Camaroptera
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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This common finch is found in open areas in the Andes from Venezuela to southernmost Argentina. Males are uniform bluish-gray with no distinct markings. Females in the northern part of its range are brown and streaky all over; in the south, females are grayer with fainter streaking. Both sexes have dull pinkish legs. Look for small flocks foraging on the ground in grasslands and open rocky areas, usually at elevations above 3,000 m, but descends much lower in southern South America. Sometimes mixes with other finches.
Rufous-capped Antshrike
Thamnophilus ruficapillus
Small antshrike found in the understory of dense forests and second growth. Has a rusty cap and back and is buff-brown on the face and underparts. Males are barred on the breast and undertail, which is absent on females. The song is a loud and descending series of 12–13 “tjew” notes, accelerating towards the end.
Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan
Andigena hypoglauca
Stunning, ornately-colored toucan of high Andean cloud forest. While the general plumage pattern is similar to other mountain-toucans, the multicolored coral, black, and yellow-striped bill separates it from all others. Eye is yellow in most of Peru, dark elsewhere in its range. Typically encountered in pairs or small groups that forage in the forest canopy. Often noisy, giving long, rising screams or short, excited yaps.
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