Bearded Tachuri

Polystictus pectoralis

A small attractive flycatcher. Males have a striking face pattern with a black crown hiding concealed white feathers and a black face that contrasts with its brown back. Note the rusty rump and cinnamon wash below. Females have a brown crown and a buff face with a whitish throat. Occurs in native grasslands and savannas with scattered shrubs.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Polystictus pectoralis
Authority
(Vieillot, 1817)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Polystictus

Range and habitat

Migration
Complete migrants

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Yellow-breasted Antwren

Yellow-breasted Antwren

Herpsilochmus axillaris

Small, warbler-like antbird that usually stays high in the trees. Inhabits cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes; also in the western and central Andes of Colombia. Note yellow underparts, dark wings with white wingbars, and streaky face. Male has a black cap, and female has a chestnut cap. Typically seen with mixed-species flocks in the forest canopy. Frequently given song is a rising and then falling trill.

Large Lifou White-eye

Large Lifou White-eye

Zosterops inornatus

A bizarre, large and heavy-billed white-eye that is notably distinctive among a group of birds famed for being homogeneous. Note gray plumage overall contrasting with olive head and wings. Unusually shy for a white-eye, typically found skulking low in dense growth. Only potential confusion species on Lifou is the resident subspecies of Silverye, which is smaller with a smaller bill, brighter plumage, and contrasting black in the face. Best found via its relatively low-pitched, pleasant song made up of mellow whistled notes.

Yellow-streaked Warbler

Yellow-streaked Warbler

Phylloscopus armandii

Dull brownish leaf warbler. Brown above with brownish-yellow underparts. Extremely similar in appearance to Radde’s Warbler, but Yellow-streaked has a more contrastingly pale brow stripe, finer bill, and fine yellow streaks on the breast. The breast streaks themselves are often not visible, instead appearing as a faint yellow wash from a distance. Dusky Warbler is somewhat similar but is much browner overall with a darker brow stripe and less contrast between upper- and underparts. Breeds in subalpine shrubbery and descends into foothills to winter in similar habitat. Song is a series of cascading tinkling, buzzy notes. Gives metallic “tinks”.

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