Red-throated Ant-Tanager
Driophlox fuscicauda
Fairly common in the understory of lowland tropical forest and woodland; also ranges into adjacent secondary growth. Usually in small groups, mainly comprising female-plumaged birds. Associates readily with similar Red-crowned Ant-tanager when attending army ant swarms. These two species are best told by voice: low rasping calls in Red-throated, high squeaky calls in Red-crowned (remember: the throat is lower than the crown). Male Red-throated has a small dark mask between the eye and the bill, and female has a contrasting buff throat.
Identification
The red-throated ant tanager (Driophlox fuscicauda) is a species of bird in the family Cardinalidae, the cardinals, grosbeaks, and “tanager” allies. It is found from Mexico to Colombia.
Taxonomy
Genus: Driophlox; Family: Cardinalidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Driophlox fuscicauda
- Authority
- (Cabanis, 1861)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cardinalidae
- Genus
- Driophlox
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Short-billed Chlorospingus
Chlorospingus parvirostris
A drab cloud forest bird found along the east slope of the Andes. It has olive upperparts, gray underparts, a pale eye, and yellow on throat that wraps around the sides of the neck. Very similar to Yellow-throated Chlorospingus, but note Short-billed’s “handlebar mustache” shape of the yellow throat, as well as its whiter eye. Typically found in pairs or small groups fairly low inside the forest, often in gloomy gullies near streams.
White-cheeked Antbird
Gymnopithys leucaspis
Distinctive antbird with pale blue eyering and snowy white underparts and rusty upperparts. Black eyebrow and cheek extends through neck sides and down flanks. Occurs in lowland rainforest east of the Andes; no range overlap with similar Bicolored Antbird. Most often seen in the vicinity of army ant swarms, perched on vertical branches or vines close to the ground. Several individuals may gather at a large ant swarm. Listen for harsh descending “churr” calls that might be a clue that there’s an ant swarm nearby.
Dulit Frogmouth
Batrachostomus harterti
Large frogmouth of Borneo’s central mountains. Inhabits foothill forest (typically 600–1230 m). Heavyset, with a whiskered face and bright white spots on the wings. Similar Large Frogmouth is generally found at lower elevations; Dulit has broader (as opposed to Large’s sharply triangular) white wing spots, strong pale barring on the throat, and overall darker coloration. Song is a low, resonant, melancholy-sounding “hooooo’m”; call consists of barks, typically given in pairs: “woo’WUP!”.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.