Black-bellied Firefinch
Lagonosticta rara
Males are mostly pinkish-red, and females have a brown back, a gray head, and pinkish underparts. Both sexes have a dark bill with a pinkish area at the base, an extensive black belly, and no white spots on the underparts. Found along forest edge and in overgrown cultivation, lush savanna, and scrub. Usually in pairs or small groups, sometimes mixed with other waxbills. Similar to several other firefinches, but separated by the lack of white spots below. Male further separated from similar species by the all-red head. The song is a series of low whistles, and the calls include “chet” notes and a short trill.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lagonosticta rara
- Authority
- (Antinori, 1864)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Lagonosticta
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Peruvian Screech-Owl
Megascops roboratus
Small screech-owl restricted to dry forests of western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Note yellow eyes, small ear tufts, and vertical stripes on underparts. Overall plumage coloration ranges from brown to bright cinnamon. Very similar in plumage to several other screech-owls, and best identified by range, habitat, and voice. Typical song is a fast, gargling trill; also gives soft yaps.
Golden Greenbul
Calyptocichla serinus
A golden-green bird of forest and forest edge, often seen high above the ground in fruiting trees with other species. Mostly uniform golden-yellow below and yellow-green above with a distinctive pale pinkish bill that is often darkest towards the tip. Gives a drawn out, descending “TSCHEEeeeeew!”, often preceded by a sharp “chup!”
Dotted Tanager
Ixothraupis varia
Small, beautiful tanager with bright uniform green plumage. Males have bluish wings and tail and scattered dots on breast. Note the dark lores. Females are all green and lack the dark lores. Found patchily in the canopy of humid forest and forest edges, typically in white sand areas or ridgetops, and often found with mixed-species flocks. Easily confused with juveniles of Yellow-bellied and Spotted Tanagers. The song is a very high, hissing “tsip... tsee-tseee-tsee-tsee-tsee”.
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