Rufous-headed Parrotbill
Paradoxornis bakeri
A short-tailed parrotbill with a bulbous orange head, found in hill and submontane forests. Brown above and white below. Very similar in appearance to the smaller Pale-billed Parrotbill; look for the latter’s short black eyebrow. Confusingly, both species are often found alongside one another in mixed flocks, typically with White-hooded Babblers. Gives chirps, squeaks, and mews frequently as it moves through bamboo thickets; also gives a distinct song composed of whistled notes.
Taxonomy
The rufous-headed parrotbill was alternatively considered as a member of the Old World babblers family, Timaliidae, or in the Sylviidae, but it actually seems to belong to the distinct family Paradoxornithidae. It was formerly considered as conspecific with the white-breasted parrotbill.
- Scientific name
- Paradoxornis bakeri
- Authority
- (Hartert, EJO, 1900)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Paradoxornithidae
- Genus
- Paradoxornis
Range and habitat
The natural habitats of the rufous-headed parrotbill are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Orange-bellied Leafbird
Chloropsis hardwickii
The only leafbird within its range with an orange belly. Male is unmistakable with a blue-and-black face pattern, a solid orange belly, and green-and-blue wings. Female is green all over with blue cheeks and less extensive orange on the belly. The female can be confused with female Blue-winged Leafbird, but Orange-bellied has an orange belly and more blue on the face than Blue-winged Leafbird. Often moves about quietly in the upper layers of hilly and montane forests, gleaning insects from branches and foraging at fruiting and flowering trees. Frequently incorporates the songs and calls of other species into its vocalizations.
Striated Heron
Butorides striata
A very widespread small heron, common across much of the globe. Small size and overall gray color separates from most other herons and bitterns. Look for contrasting dark cap, distinct pale edges on wing feathers, and white and rufous stripes on front of neck. Juvenile streakier below than adult. Similar to Green Heron but note mostly gray neck with restricted rufous. Juvenile is much smaller and more slender than juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron, with long streaks on the chest and spotting restricted to the wings. Normally solitary, found standing quietly around wetland habitats such as marshes, agricultural fields, rivers, and lakes.
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Amazilia tzacatl
Handsome, medium-size hummingbird of humid tropical lowlands. Favors forest edge, second growth, gardens in some areas. Feeds low to high and often comes to feeders. Can be difficult to distinguish from Buff-bellied Hummingbird, which favors drier habitats. Rufous-tailed has a dingier, grayish belly and more extensive rusty on the tail, which lacks the distinct fork often shown by Buff-bellied’s tail. Also compare Cinnamon Hummingbird.
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