Grayish Piculet
Picumnus granadensis
Tiny woodpecker somewhat reminiscent of a nuthatch. Short, chisel-like bill and short tail. Plain grayish-brown above and slightly paler below with no streaking; note dark crown with small white spotting. Found in a variety of forested habitats, even around edges and second growth. Creeps around small branches and vines, often hanging upside-down. Sexes similar; males have patch of yellow spots on crown (not just white). Restricted to western Colombia.
Identification
The greyish piculet is 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long and weighs 12 to 13 g (0.42 to 0.46 oz). Adult males of the nominate subspecies have a black crown and nape with small yellow tips on the feathers of the front and top and white spots on the rest. Their ear coverts are chestnut brown with a few white streaks, their cheeks off-white with blackish feather tips, and the sides of their neck gray-brown with white spots or streaks. Their hindneck and upperparts are grayish brown, often with an olive tinge. Their flight feathers are dark brown with yellowish green edges. Their tail is dark brown; the innermost pair of feathers have white inner webs and the outer two pairs a white stripe. Their chin and throat are off-white with blackish feather tips. Their underparts are dull white; the flanks sometimes have fine grayish streaks. Their iris is brown, the beak black, the bare skin around the eye gray-blue, and the legs gray with a green or blue tinge. Adult females are identical but with white spots on the whole crown and no yellow. Juveniles are duller and darker than adults and have more heavily streaked underparts. Subspecies P. g. antioquensis has grayer upperparts and more obvious gray streaking on their belly and flanks than the nominate.
Taxonomy
The greyish piculet has two described subspecies, the nominate P. g. granadensis and P. g. antioquensis (Chapman, 1915). The greyish piculet and the olivaceous piculet (P. olivaceus) were at one time considered to be conspecific and are now treated as sister species. However, the "evidence for treatment as separate species is weak".
- Scientific name
- Picumnus granadensis
- Authority
- Lafresnaye, 1847
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
- Genus
- Picumnus
Range and habitat
Subspecies P. g. antioquensis of the greyish piculet is the more northern. It is found in northwestern Colombia on the western slope of the Western Andes between Antioquia Department and the upper reaches of the Rio San Juan. The nominate is found in western Colombia from the middle and upper reaches of the Rio Cauca south to the upper Rio Patía. It inhabits semi-open landscapes like the edges of dry to somewhat humid primary and secondary forest, scrublands, and open woodlands. In elevation it mostly ranges between 800 and 2,100 m (2,600 and 6,900 ft) though it might be found as low as 600 m (2,000 ft) in the northern part of its range.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The greyish piculet is a year-round resident throughout its range.<p>No details are known about the greyish piculet's foraging technique or diet, though they are assumed to be similar to those of the olivaceous piculet, which see here.<p>The greyish piculet's breeding season appears to span approximately January to June. Nothing else is known about its breediing biology.<p>The greyish piculet "[c]alls infrequently, a high-pitched weak trill on one pitch."
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-and-white Bulbul
Microtarsus melanoleucos
While highly distinctive, this bulbul can be irruptive and moves in flocks over a wide range; it is thus infrequently encountered. Both sexes are dark with white shoulder patches; female is slightly browner. Moves through lowland and foothill evergreen forest and forest edge. Forages throughout all forest levels, but most common in upper levels, where it often gathers in the crowns of fruiting trees. Occasionally gives abrupt metallic ‘ching!’
Rock Firefinch
Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis
A small brown and reddish waxbill with a blue-gray and black bill, and black under the tail. There are a few white spots along the shoulder. Found mainly in dry, rocky habitat with grass and bushes, but also ventures into savanna and galley forest habitats during the dry season. Usually in pairs or small groups. Very similar to African Firefinch, but has a more two-toned bill, is brighter overall, and has a more reddish back in both sexes. Also similar to Black-bellied Firefinch, but has less extensive black on the belly, and males are further separated by the gray patch on top of their head. Vocalizations include soft “teew” whistles, a descending trill, “tep” notes, and “pit-pit-pit” calls.
Nuthatch-Vanga
Hypositta corallirostris
Small blue vanga that acts like a creeper or small woodpecker, feeding by climbing up tree trunks. Male is all blue, while female is greenish-blue on the back; both have a coral-colored bill. Madagascar endemic that is found in eastern rainforest at low and middle elevations. Usually in pairs, which are typically part of mixed flocks of other bird species. Most common call is a high, accelerating, slurred trill. Size, color, and tree-creeping habits make it distinctive.
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