Golden-collared Honeycreeper
Iridophanes pulcherrimus
Small tanager of Andean cloud forest. Colorful male has black upperparts broken by a golden hind collar, pale blue underparts, and a blue stripe on the wing. Female is much plainer and may appear featureless when seen in dim light. Look for a grayish face, hint of a golden collar, blue or green tinge to the wings, and red eyes. Forages in middle to upper levels of the forest and often joins mixed-species flocks. Visits feeders in some areas.
Identification
The golden-collared honeycreeper (Iridophanes pulcherrimus) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae, the tanagers and allies. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Taxonomy
The golden-collared honeycreeper was formally described in 1853 by the English zoologist Philip Sclater from a specimen collected near Bogotá in Colombia. He coined the binomial name Tangara pulcherrima. It is now the only species placed in the genus Iridophanes that was erected by Robert Ridgway in 1901. The genus name Iridophanes combines the Ancient Greek iris meaning "rainbow" and -phanēs meaning "showing". The specific epithet pulcherrimus is Latin for "very beautiful".<p>A molecular phylogenetic study of the tanager family published in 2014 found that the golden-collared honeycreeper and the green honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) were sister species.<p>Two subspecies are recognised:
- Scientific name
- Iridophanes pulcherrimus
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1853)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Iridophanes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Western Olivaceous Flatbill
Rhynchocyclus aequinoctialis
A medium-sized flycatcher with a fairly long tail and rounded head. Dull brownish-olive overall with few distinctive features; look for indistinct pale eyering and very broad bill. Occurs singly or in pairs in the lower and middle levels of forests in lowlands and foothills, up to around 1,000 m. Often follows mixed-species flocks. Fairly widespread in western South America; occurs from eastern Panama to Bolivia and western Brazil. Listen for rising, accelerating series of urgent whistles.
Little Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula westermanni
Male is strikingly unique with his bold black-and-white patterning. Female is unique in her plainness: somber gray-brown above with pale underparts and a slightly cinnamon tint to the rump. Breeds in broadleaf, coniferous, and mixed forests in foothills and montane areas. Himalayan birds descend into lower foothills in the winter. Sallies from exposed perches in the upper and middle levels of the forest and moves with mixed flocks in the non-breeding season. Vocalizations are variable, and include a series of high notes followed by buzzing and tinkling notes (“chi-chi-chi-brr-titititi”), a steadily accelerating series of chiming notes, and a series of clear bell-like phrases followed by a short buzzy sputtering. Calls include high notes and rolling low rattles.
Rachel's Malimbe
Malimbus racheliae
A beautiful malimbe locally distributed in Central Africa and restricted to lowland primary forest and its edges, where it is often found high above the ground in small groups or with mixed-species flocks, sometimes with other species of malimbe. Both males and females are wholly black with yellow vents and orange chests that fade to yellow at the edges. Males also have an orange crown and neck, giving them a collared appearance. Overlaps with several other species of malimbe, but distinguished by the yellow vent and orange chest with yellow edges. Calls are short, mechanical squeaks, while the song is a longer series of notes that incorporates dry rasps, similar to the songs of other weavers and malimbes. Rachel’s Malimbe appears to be particularly fond of musanga trees, also known as corkwood or umbrella trees.
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