Tepui Brushfinch
Atlapetes personatus
Large, colorful sparrow of tepui highland forests. Geographically variable but always shows rufous head, olive-gray upperparts, and yellow breast and belly: a combination that renders it unmistakable in its limited range. Found in understory of humid forests in the tepui region, generally above 800 m. Single birds, pairs, or small family groups stay in dense cover and rummage through leaf litter or over mossy substrates, looking for seeds and insects. May emerge from cover to forage on mossy limbs up to several meters high. Often observed with mixed-species flocks. Quite vocal and will sometimes approach to scold observers; calls include a dry chip and various indistinct contact notes, whereas song is a short, arresting series of whistled notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Atlapetes personatus
- Authority
- (Cabanis, 1849)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Genus
- Atlapetes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-breasted Myzomela
Myzomela vulnerata
A distinctive small black, white, and red honeyeater with a downcurved bill. Jet black with diagnostic red patches on rear crown, throat, and rump, as well as a clean white belly. The black areas are gray on juveniles. Singles or pairs found in forest, forest edge, and scrub within the lowlands and foothills on Timor. Unmistakable in its limited range. Simple, very high-pitched song consists of rapid-fire notes, “si-si-si-si-si-si-si”; also gives “zit” call notes.
Meyer's Goshawk
Astur meyerianus
A rare, powerful raptor of hill and montane forest edge and clearings. Black upperparts and white underparts with fine black barring on the flanks. Yellow legs, eyes and base to the bill. Takes a variety of prey by swooping down on them in flight, especially pigeons. Adult common morph unlikely to be confused with any other montane species, but rare black morph very similar to black morph Chestnut-shouldered Goshawk and juvenile similar to the species too, although Meyer’s Goshawk has a dark eye rather than a yellow eye. Call described as a series of loud upslurred screeches.
Imperial Cormorant
Leucocarbo atriceps
Very striking cormorant readily identified by white neck. Locally common black-and-white cormorant of colder coastal waters. Often seen perched on inshore rocks and jetties, sometimes with Magellanic Cormorant. Nests colonially on low islands (rarely in lakes inland from coast) and jetties. Plumage varies regionally, with some birds black-faced and others white-faced; the two types breed together locally in the Strait of Magellan. Immature resembles adult but plumage duller overall, brownish above.
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