Paramo Pipit
Anthus bogotensis
A nondescript buffy-brown bird found in high elevation grasslands and farmland from western Venezuela to Bolivia. Occurs from around 2,500 to 4,500 m. Upperparts have prominent dark streaking, but underparts are mostly clean buffy with only limited streaking on the upper breast and neck sides. Legs and bill are pinkish. Usually seen singly, walking on the ground or occasionally perched on a small shrub or fencepost. The only pipit in much of its range (north of central Peru); southward, note cleaner underparts (especially flanks) than possible confusion species like Hellmayr’s Pipit.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Anthus bogotensis
- Authority
- Sclater, PL, 1855
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Genus
- Anthus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gray-headed Batis
Batis orientalis
A typical black, white, and gray batis. Note the chest band, which is black in males and chestnut in females. Found in dry savanna and thornscrub, often in pairs. Very similar to Western Black-headed Batis, and best distinguished by voice, but usually shows a paler gray crown. Also similar to Pygmy Batis, but larger, and the white eyebrow extends well behind the eye. The distinctive song is a descending series of several whistled notes.
Mottled Flowerpecker
Dicaeum tristrami
A tiny round bird with a slightly downturned bill. Brown on the back, wings, and crown. Face, chest, and belly are lavender-gray. Shows brown mottling on chest and black on the bill base and in front of the eye. Common in primary forest and forest edge, more common in highlands. Short bill eliminates confusion with sunbirds and myzomelas. Common call is a high-pitched “tschip-tschip.”
Marail Guan
Penelope marail
Medium-sized guan of rainforest canopy. Usually appears entirely dark; note short-legged profile, contrasting red throat patch, and sluggish behavior. Slips quietly through canopy, feeding on fruit; typically found alone or in pairs but may congregate at fruiting trees. Generally wary, especially where hunted, but sometimes tolerates close approach. May be seen near the ground at forest edge or along roadsides. Very similar to Spix’s Guan; Marail is smaller and shorter-legged, but this can be surprisingly difficult to judge accurately.
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