Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush
Catharus mexicanus
Small, plain-breasted thrush of tropical and subtropical evergreen forest in foothills and highlands. Usually elusive and heard far more often than seen. Feeds mainly on the ground, but also in fruiting bushes and trees. Sings from low to middle level perches. Plumage distinctive, with blackish cap, contrasting orange eyering and bill, and dusky upperparts. In dark shady understory, could be confused with Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, which has rusty brown upperparts. Song distinctive: slightly scratchy and not very fluty.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Catharus mexicanus
- Authority
- (Bonaparte, 1856)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Catharus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Orange-bellied Euphonia
Euphonia xanthogaster
Small finchlike bird, compact and short tailed. Generally yellow below and dark blue-back above with stout, short bill. To identify male euphonias, focus on the crown and throat: Orange-bellied has yellow cap and dark throat, as well as slightly orange-yellow belly. Females extremely difficult to separate from other euphonias but often seen in pairs or small groups with males. Frequents open forested habitats, edges, and gardens. Can form mixed feeding flocks with other species such as warblers and tanagers.
Kauai Amakihi
Chlorodrepanis stejnegeri
An uncommon Hawaiian honeycreeper of forests on Kauai. Males are bright yellow and females are grayer. Larger and thicker-billed than amakihis on other islands. Occurs in native forest above 3,000 feet elevation in the understory and forest canopy where it searches for nectar, insects, and fruit. Song is a trill that does not change in pitch or speed. Call is a nasal “chee.”
Paddyfield Warbler
Acrocephalus agricola
Warm brown above and pale below; strong dark eyestripe contrasts with white eyebrow. Smallish reed warbler with long and strongly rounded tail, short bill with dark tip, and short primary projection. Difficult to separate visually from other small Acrocephalus warblers, especially Blunt-winged Warbler; note Paddyfield’s more prominent pale eyebrow which strengthens behind the eye, as well as longer-winged appearance. Also compare with Iduna warblers. Breeds in extensive reed beds; in nonbreeding season found in marshes, but also more scrubby areas. Distinctive, melodious song.
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