Pale-billed Scrubwren
Aethomyias spilodera
A small bird of foothill forest understory and midstory. Dark brown upperparts, paler underparts and characteristic pale bill. Races differ. Some with spotted throat and whitish or buffy underparts. Searches actively for insects in small groups or mixed flocks, often flicking its tail. Co-occurs at elevations with other scrubwrens, including Gray-green and Perplexing, but Pale-billed has an obvious pale bill. Song, an up-and-down “see-saw” repeated. Call, a scratchy chattering.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Aethomyias spilodera
- Authority
- (Gray, GR, 1859)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Acanthizidae
- Genus
- Aethomyias
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Crested Gallito
Rhinocrypta lanceolata
Striking, mostly terrestrial thrush-sized bird of thorn scrub in the Chaco bioregion, from central Argentina to SE Bolivia. Plain grayish-brown plumage with rufous flanks and streaked crest distinctive. Generally solitary or in pairs.
Glossy-mantled Manucode
Manucodia ater
A large, long-tailed bird of lowland, open wooded areas, including mangroves. All black with red eyes and iridescence on the wings, back and tail. Some spotted iridescence on neck and chest. It has quite long-necked appearance. Co-occurs with Jobi and Trumpet Manucodes, but Glossy is larger and longer-tailed. Voice, an unpleasant, high-pitch whistle sounding a bit like microphone distortion. Sings from a high, open perch.
White-winged Snowfinch
Montifringilla nivalis
Distinctive long-tailed and long-winged inhabitant of high alpine zones; can be found slightly lower down in winter and around human habitation (towns, monasteries, ski resorts), where it can be quite approachable. Black-and-white wings striking in flight. In the breeding season, the bill is dark and the chin is black (bill yellowish and chin patch absent in nonbreeding season). The head is paler grey in winter. Feeds on seeds and insects. Song consists of buzzy warbles and chirps. Gives nasal “reep” calls and dry chatters.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.