Puna Ground-Tyrant
Muscisaxicola juninensis
Fairly common, rather drab, small terrestrial flycatcher of puna habitats in the high Andes, especially bogs and lakeshores with rocky surroundings and bunchgrasses. Virtual absence of field marks is a field mark: plumage lacks strong contrast or color, but hindcrown has dull rusty blush, visible with good views, and face has very weak paler eyebrow. Much smaller than White-fronted Ground-Tyrant, which is often found in same areas.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Muscisaxicola juninensis
- Authority
- Taczanowski, 1884
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Muscisaxicola
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Oriental Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus orientalis
In breeding range, this large, long-billed songster of expansive reedbeds can often be seen perched on top of a stalk belting its heart out, but on wintering grounds, it is more likely to be detected by a harsh, grating rattling from deep within the vegetation. Unremarkably plumaged, brown above, paler below, with a weak white supercilium and a short bristly crest, occasionally raised. Compare with other large reed warblers, especially Clamorous Reed Warbler.
Sickle-winged Nightjar
Eleothreptus anomalus
While perched, appears to be an unassuming nightjar: rather small, short-tailed, and largely gray with dark brown spots. In flight, males are spectacular, with unique flight feathers forming the “sickle” wing shape. Females lack these modified wing feathers. Usually found close to water, around gallery forest; in some areas also in grassland and marshes. The call is a repetition of very subtle “chip” notes.
New Caledonian Streaked Fantail
Rhipidura verreauxi
Small, with a long, often fanned tail. Mostly reddish-brown with a grayish-brown head, a white eyebrow and cheek stripes, and a white throat and chest finely marked with black arrowheads. Found in forest and forest edge, avoiding open areas. Similar to Gray Fantail, but note brown back and heavily marked chest. Song is a bright, repetitive series of twanging notes; calls include a harsh “jek” and rising scold calls.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.