White-sided Flowerpiercer
Diglossa albilatera
Small flowerpiercer, male all slaty blackish and female fairly dark olive-brownish. Both sexes show white flash on sides, mostly obscured by wings but usually partially visible, especially with its frequent wing flicks. Bill is upturned with a hook at the tip, typical of a flowerpiercer. Found at middle elevations, around 1,800–2,800 m, in the Andes from Venezuela to Peru. Usually at forest edge or shrubby areas. Can be found singly, in pairs, or following a mixed-species flock.
Identification
A fairly small flowerpiercer - slightly larger than a black-capped chickadee and slightly smaller than a great tit. Length is 12.2-13.2cm, mass is typically 9.84-10.2g.<p>The male is a blackish-slate colour overall with the exception of white “sides” (pectoral tufts and underwing linings). On a perched bird these white markings are not always noticeable but when the bird flicks its wings as it frequently does the white flash is obvious. Females are olive-brown above and buffy-brown below, with the same white sides. Both males and females have dark brown irises, bills that are blackish (sometimes paler at the base of the lower mandible), and grey legs.<p>Immature males resemble females but their plumage is a duller brown with blurred streaks on the breast. Juveniles are dark grey-brown with their dark tipped feathers giving a faintly scaled appearance.<p>
Taxonomy
The species was first described as diglossa albi-latera in 1843 by the French ornithologist Frédéric de Lafresnaye. <p>The generic name Diglossa comes from Ancient Greek diglossos (double-tongued; speaking two languages). The specific epithet albilatera derives from Latin: albus (white) and lateralis (flanks). <p>The IOC recognizes four subspecies:
- Scientific name
- Diglossa albilatera
- Authority
- Lafresnaye, 1843
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Diglossa
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Centrocercus minimus
Large turkeylike bird found in extensive areas of sagebrush. Both sexes gray overall with very fine patterning, black belly, and long pointed tail. Males have a white breast and a black throat. Spectacular male display involves fanning tail, inflating yellow air sacs on chest, and thrusting them forward to produce liquidy popping noises. Extremely similar to more widespread Greater Sage-Grouse but smaller and no range overlap. Also note lighter tail and longer head plumes on Gunnison when displaying. Most easily seen at display sites in early spring; can be very inconspicuous at other times of year. Tends to forage in wet riparian areas near sagebrush. Population in decline.
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.
Silver-eared Honeyeater
Lichmera alboauricularis
A sparrow-sized honeyeater with a downcurved bill, a prominent white ear mark, plain brown upperparts, and pale underparts with distinct dark mottling on the breast. Inhabits open coastal areas with canegrass and scattered trees, and also mangroves and coconut plantations. Generally occurs within vegetation close to watercourses. Combination of streaked chest, pale ear patch, and plain brown upperparts separate it from all other New Guinea honeyeaters. Vocalizations include harsh chattering and nasal “weet-weet-weet” calls, as well as a sharp “jit” note.
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