Immaculate Cupwing
Pnoepyga immaculata
Tiny, tailless, long-legged ball of a bird. Dark morph is brown all over with black spots on the breast; pale morph’s breast is marked with black-and-white scaling. Very similar in appearance to Pygmy and Scaly-breasted Cupwings; note unspotted wings, faint black moustache stripe, and longer-billed profile. Not exceptionally shy, but difficult to see in the dense undergrowth; listen for its song, a steadily descending phrase of high thin notes.
Identification
The Nepal cupwing is small, measuring 8.5cm—10cm in length, and is brownish-olive in colouration. It has dark scaling on the upperparts and paler scaling on the underparts, a scaly breast with brown central feathers, pale edging on the flight feathers, and a very short tail. External morphology is very similar to the other species, to a degree where identification within the field relies upon vocalizations. The song is distinctive, being higher pitched than the other species in the genus and consisting of a steady series of thin, short, rapid, modulated whistles that descend in pitch.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pnoepyga immaculata
- Authority
- Martens, J & Eck, 1991
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pnoepygidae
- Genus
- Pnoepyga
Range and habitat
This species is native to the foothills of the Himalayas. It is a regular resident in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Nepal, and an uncommon resident around Zhangmu in Tibet. Preferred habitat is dense understorey in median and low mountain elevations. It is not migratory, but altitudinal movements do occur, as they winter down to 250 metres. It occurs regularly between 1800 and 2200 metres, and possibly breeds as high as 3100 metres. Generally, this species prefers dark forest and keeps to the forest floor. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Bristle-crowned Starling
Onychognathus salvadorii
A large blue-black starling with a fuzzy bump on the forehead. The very long and pointed tail and large red wing panels are conspicuous in flight. Found around cliffs and other rocky areas in dry savanna and thorn scrub habitat. Sometimes sits on domestic animals. Similar to other red-winged starlings, but note the larger size, the more pointed tail, and the forehead bump. Gives a variety of simple vocalizations, of which the most common is a two-part “chu-pit.”
Long-legged Buzzard
Buteo rufinus
A large, long-winged buzzard which may recall a small eagle in size. Variable plumage with three color morphs. All have obvious dark carpal patches at the wrist of the wing. Juveniles lack the adult’s prominent black trailing edge to the wings. Often hunts from a prominent perch, or sits on the ground and scans for prey. A species of open steppe and desert country, sometimes in more wooded areas but always near big open spaces. Compare with similar Common and Upland Buzzards, as well as Rough-legged Hawk; note long-winged structure, size, and wings held in “V” in soaring flight.
Chimango Caracara
Daptrius chimango
Noisy, conspicuous, and often a common scavenger in habitats ranging from towns and cities to open forest, farmland, and beaches; ecological counterpart to crows. Often in groups, locally of tens or even hundreds, feeding on the ground or tumbling and sailing with agile flight; often chases and mobs larger raptors. Plumage brownish overall, often with gingery tones, and with variable paler dappling above and fine barring below. Bold creamy white wing panels and tail base striking in flight.
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