Puerto Rican Tanager

Nesospingus speculiferus

A noisy, gregarious species of middle to high elevation forests where it often forms mixed-species flocks. Typically roosts communally in palm or bamboo thickets. Its brownish back, blackish crown, bright white throat and thickset bill eliminate all other species within range; also note small white spot at base of primaries present on adults. Song is series of sweet two-parted phrases such as “chu-wit, see-you, chu-you.” The common call is a high thin “tsit” or “chit” given singly or in series.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Nesospingus speculiferus
Authority
(Lawrence, 1875)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Phaenicophilidae
Genus
Nesospingus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Seychelles Paradise-Flycatcher

Seychelles Paradise-Flycatcher

Terpsiphone corvina

Unusual and distinctive paradise-flycatcher. Adult males are completely glossy blue-black with extremely long tail streamers. Female has a black head, rufous upperparts, and white underparts, and lacks tail streamers. Both sexes have a blue ring of bare skin around the eye. Endemic to the Seychelles, where it is found mainly on the islands of La Digue and Denis. Habitat is thick indigenous woodland. A restless, active bird of middle levels of the forest. Calls include a tearing “shreeet” and an agitated twittering. The song is a long, musical, slightly descending series of “twee” notes. 

Short-toed Treecreeper

Short-toed Treecreeper

Certhia brachydactyla

Difficult to separate from Eurasian Treecreeper: note slightly longer bill, shorter hind claw, browner flanks, and even steps on the wingbar. In the field best separated by voice, a penetrating "tut." Where it overlaps in range with Eurasian Treecreeper tends to be found in more deciduous woodlands at lower altitudes and in farmlands and parks.

Velvet-fronted Euphonia

Velvet-fronted Euphonia

Euphonia concinna

Uncommon within restricted range of the Magdalena Valley of central Colombia, from around 200 to 1,000 m. Occurs in open woodlands. Males are dark steely-blue above and rich yellow below, with a yellow forecrown. Note entirely dark throat and dark underside of tail. Female is dull grayish olive above and yellow below. Note yellow forecrown on female. Could be confused with Orange-bellied Euphonia; male Orange-bellied has white underside of tail and females are grayer below.

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