Lesser Shortwing
Brachypteryx leucophris
A small ground-hugging bird found in areas with dense cover, usually near moving water. Unlike most shortwings, male and female are not significantly different; both sexes are brown or gray overall, with a white eyebrow and throat. Furtive and quite difficult to see; its tinkling melodic song, which starts with 1-2 slow notes and quickly accelerates into a rushed-sounding loud musical jumble, may give away its position in the undergrowth.
Identification
The lesser shortwing (Brachypteryx leucophris) is a species of chat. This species is now classified in the family Muscicapidae. It is found in south-eastern Asia, Sumatra, Java and the Lesser Sundas. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Taxonomy
Genus: Brachypteryx; Family: Muscicapidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Brachypteryx leucophris
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1828)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Brachypteryx
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Orange-crowned Manakin
Heterocercus aurantiivertex
Dull manakin of seasonally flooded swamp forest in Amazonian lowlands. Male is less colorful than most manakins, with brown upperparts, cinnamon underparts, and a white throat; his orange crown is usually hidden and not often seen in the field. Female is duller; she is mostly olive-brown with a pale throat and face, and lacks a crown patch. Usually seen at lower to middle levels of forest along streams and lakes. Typical song is a rapid trill with undulating pitch.
Chestnut-crowned Gnateater
Conopophaga castaneiceps
Plump, short-tailed bird of Andean cloud forest understory. Male is gray with a chestnut crown and brownish-tinged back. Female is browner with chestnut extending to neck and breast. Both sexes have a partially concealed white plume behind eye that can be lifted when the bird is excited. Usually encountered alone and perched near the ground. Song is a harsh, staccato rattle that rises in pitch.
Zone-tailed Hawk
Buteo albonotatus
Dark raptor that soars with a "V" or dihedral shape and rocks side-to-side in flight. Black overall with silver bars on flight feathers and white banded tail. Yellow feet and cere; small pale gray area in front of eyes. Sexes similar; immature similar to adult but lacking dark trailing edge to wings and with more finely banded banded gray and black tail. Shape and flight style remarkably similar to Turkey Vulture. Plumage much like Common Black Hawk but wing shape is very different. Rarely seen perched. Found in a variety of habitats, including mountains, deserts, and mangroves.
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