Malabar Flameback
Chrysocolaptes socialis
A large, crested woodpecker with a golden-olive back endemic to wet lowland and foothill forests in southwestern India. Separated from Common Flameback and other “small-billed” flamebacks by a much larger bill, a mottled black-and-white nape instead of a black nape, and a divided black horizontal stripe below the cheek. Separated from the similarly large-billed White-naped Woodpecker by the less clean-cut face pattern, a red rump, the lack of a clean white nape, and a preference for wetter habitat. A loose participant in mixed-species foraging flocks, often detected by its loud, high-pitched trill similar to that of Common Flameback.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Chrysocolaptes socialis
- Authority
- Koelz, 1939
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
- Genus
- Chrysocolaptes
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Jameson's Snipe
Gallinago jamesoni
Chunky snipe of very high elevations in the Andes. Plumage has a complicated pattern of brown, buff, and black; note extensive barring on underparts and thick, drooping bill. Might be confused with Noble Snipe, but does not have a white belly. Compared to Imperial Snipe, it is smaller and lacks the warm, cinnamon coloration. Jameson’s Snipe inhabits paramo grasslands and stunted forest near tree line. Shy and rarely encountered unless flushed, when it gives a burst of sharp, abrupt “kek” notes.
Black-headed Waxbill
Estrilda atricapilla
A dapper waxbill of low elevations found in flocks along roadsides, near villages, and along the forest edge, sometimes with other waxbills. Similar to Black-crowned Waxbill, but Black-headed has a unique combination of a red rump and flanks and a dark vent. Black-headed is found at lower elevations than the visually similar Kandt’s Waxbill where ranges overlap. Black-headed often gives high-pitched “seet seet seet” calls as it forages.
Crested Guan
Penelope purpurascens
Very large, long-tailed game bird of tropical and subtropical forest. Often seen high in trees or flying through the forest canopy; usually not seen in areas near people except in some protected areas due to hunting pressure. Typically in pairs or small groups and wary. Plumage dark overall (often looks blackish) with bright red throat wattle; white streaking on body visible at closer range. Crest is bushy and usually not a striking feature.
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