White-banded Tyrannulet
Mecocerculus stictopterus
A small, pale, and active tyrannulet. No bright colors; look for a very thick white eyebrow, gleaming white wingbars, a medium-gray crown, and a brown back. Tends to perch horizontally, often with its relatively long tail held level or slightly up. Flits actively, usually in the canopy or subcanopy, often part of a mixed-species flock. Occurs in subtropical and temperate forest and edges in the Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia, from around 2,300 to 3,300 m. Similar to White-tailed Tyrannulet but larger and found at higher elevations; also note White-tailed’s narrower white eyebrow, off-white wingbars, and generally duller plumage than White-banded. Listen for its scratchy rising calls.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Mecocerculus stictopterus
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1859)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Mecocerculus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Vulturine Parrot
Pyrilia vulturina
Medium-sized, largely green parrot with a striking head pattern. The head is featherless with a combination of orange, black, and yellow bristles. Note the orange shoulder and, in flight, the red underwings. Found in the canopy of humid forest. Call is a distinctive nasal series of “tree ... trayaweet” notes.
Stripe-faced Wood-Quail
Odontophorus balliviani
Chunky, dark brown quail of cloud forest and elfin forest. Dark brown body is spotted white below; black bandit mask and reddish crown are distinctive. May be found singly, in pairs, or in small groups. Quite secretive, and often goes undetected until flushed suddenly from nearly underfoot. Forages on the ground, climbing over mossy tree roots and scraping aside leaves with its feet to look for small prey. Listen for its low caroling song given at dusk, an often duetted “dwee-put, dwee-put….”
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.
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