Amazonian Plain-Xenops

Xenops genibarbis

Active small bird of humid tropical forest. Usually found singly, often moving with mixed-species feeding flocks. Clambers and climbs on small branches, twigs, and vines, mainly at middle to upper levels inside forest. Often hangs upside down like a chickadee. Note the bold white whisker mark, faint white streaks on the throat and crown, boldly patterned black-and-rusty wings and tail, and short, wedge-shaped bill. Where range overlaps with other xenops species, note the generally much fainter streaking on Amazonian Plain. Song is a short, relatively slow, high-pitched series of wheezy peeping notes.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Xenops genibarbis
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Furnariidae
Genus
Xenops

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

White-plumed Honeyeater

White-plumed Honeyeater

Ptilotula penicillata

A small-to-medium-sized honeyeater named after the distinctive patch of white feathers on neck. Adults are primarily olive-gray with a yellow face. Breeding adults have an entirely black bill, whereas the bills of juveniles and nonbreeding adults have a yellow base. Found in open woodlands as well as in parks and gardens, typically near water. Females build a small, cup-shaped nest using grass and spider webs. This species is widespread across mainland Australia but absent in the far north and the southwest.

Black Scoter

Black Scoter

Melanitta americana

Plump diving duck, typically seen in flocks in coastal areas. Males are completely black with bright orange knob on the bill. Females are brown overall with pale cheek and contrasting dark cap. Note potbellied shape and rounded head in flight. Typically coastal, but migrates over land especially in the Northeast U.S. Often gathers in tight flocks. Dives frequently, feeding on aquatic invertebrates. Breeds on ponds in Arctic tundra.

Black-fronted Flowerpecker

Black-fronted Flowerpecker

Dicaeum igniferum

A spectacular small, short-tailed songbird. Both sexes show a scarlet cap, nape, and rump and contrasting black wings. Male has black cheeks, a red throat with a lower black border, and a black vertical line on the belly, all lacking in females, which are plain whitish below with a wholly red back. Juvenile resembles a pale-billed female, but with red confined to rump. Found in forest, forest edge, and forest patches in lowlands and foothills. Confined to the Lesser Sundas. Red cap and nape diagnostic, separating this bird from Blood-breasted Flowerpecker. Vocalizations include a rising then descending “twitiwee-swit-swit-swoo.” Also gives a high-pitched thin “tzeet” as well as harsher, shorter abrupt “tsik” notes.

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