Flat-billed Vireo
Vireo nanus
A small, slow-moving species that prefers dry brush and scrublands where it typically feeds low and sometimes even on the ground; sometimes found at higher elevations where it can be found feeding in or near the canopy in vine tangles. The Flat-billed Vireo is a relatively plain species, with bold white wingbars, and whitish eyes. The Greater Antillean Elaenia has a smaller more pointed bill, darker eyes, and is usually found perched upright or flycatching. Flat-billed Vireos sing a “we-we-we-we-we…,” typically in a series of six to ten notes given at a rate of about seven per second, but sometimes given more rapidly at about twelve notes per second. Calls include a staccato ratcheting given by agitated birds.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Vireo nanus
- Authority
- (Lawrence, 1875)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Vireonidae
- Genus
- Vireo
Range and habitat
Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Scaly Chatterer
Argya aylmeri
An unusual slim babbler with a very long tail. Paler than most other babblers in range, gray-brown overall with scaling on the breast, a yellowish bill, and pale blue bare skin around the eye. Found in areas of dense undergrowth within dry thorn savanna and thorn scrub, almost always in small groups. Somewhat similar to other babblers, especially Rufous Chatterer, but much paler and generally found in drier habitat. An inconspicuous and skulking bird that is usually detected by call: quiet, high-pitched “tsit” notes that sound like a dry twig scraping on a windowpane.
Marsh Seedeater
Sporophila palustris
A small finchlike bird. Males have a gray hood and back with a rusty belly that contrasts with white plumage extending from the cheeks to the breast. The “zelichi” morph is deep brown above and below with a black cap and a white breast and head. Females are olive-brown above and buff below. Both sexes have a white wing spot. Inhabits marshy areas with tall mature grasses; can be found in flocks with others seedeaters during migration.
Banded Martin
Neophedina cincta
Large brown-and-white swallow with a band across the chest and a pale mark above the eye. In flight, shows broad wings with large white patches below. Found mainly in grassland and wetland, though ranges widely over other open habitats. Often in flocks, sometimes mixed with other swallow and swift species. Song is a fast, twanging jumble. Similar to Bank Swallow, but much larger, with white patches under the wing and with a square tail.
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