Yellow-spotted Bush Sparrow
Gymnoris pyrgita
A large, remarkably nondescript sparrow of dry country. Note the pale bill, the white eye-ring, the gray-brown back, the paler underparts, and the white throat. The small yellow throat spot is difficult to see. Found in dry thorn savanna, woodland, and lightly cultivated areas, often in small groups. Similar to Sahel Bush Sparrow, but lacks a distinctive eyebrow mark. Also similar to Pale Rockfinch, but has less patterning on the wing and a clearly defined white throat. The calls are cheerful chirps, often given in a quick series.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Gymnoris pyrgita
- Authority
- (Heuglin, 1862)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passeridae
- Genus
- Gymnoris
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Plumbeous Antbird
Myrmelastes hyperythrus
Large, short-tailed antbird of floodplain forest understory. Both sexes largely gray with a bare blue skin patch around the eye and a prominent white spots on the shoulder. Females are particularly distinctive with extensive orange underparts. Forages singly or in pairs in dense undergrowth, like heliconias and streamside vegetation. Song is a chortling accelerating trill.
Greater Prairie-Chicken
Tympanuchus cupido
Plump, chickenlike bird found in grasslands. Body and wings entirely barred brown with paler buffy throat. In spring, males gather at display site and dance to attract females: look for them hunched over with earlike feathers protruding from the head and yellowish-orange skin exposed on the neck. Inconspicuous and difficult to find away from display sites. Separate from Lesser Prairie-Chicken by range; averages slightly darker and larger than Lesser. Darker than Sharp-tailed Grouse with more heavily barred sides and belly; rounded tail.
White-throated Treerunner
Pygarrhichas albogularis
Distinctive little bird of native temperate forests. Usually found in pairs or small groups, creeping along trunks and branches (like Northern Hemisphere nuthatches), mainly in canopy but sometimes lower down. Often travels in association with Thorn-tailed Rayaditos. Identified by shape and behavior, plus its contrasting white bib, dark head (lacks golden brow of rayadito), and bold white spots on belly.
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