White-rumped Monjita

Xolmis velatus

Large flycatcher of savannas with scattered trees close to water. White below with a white head, rump, and uppertail. It has a gray back, dark wings with a white band, and a black tail. Usually seen foraging in pairs on the ground or perched on top of bushes, fences, or wires. Mostly silent.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Xolmis velatus
Authority
(Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Xolmis

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

White-rumped Swiftlet

White-rumped Swiftlet

Aerodramus spodiopygius

A small, mostly gray swiftlet, paler beneath with a pale throat and darker cap. White rump varies from white to pale gray. Occurs over a wide range of habitats up to 1900 meters of elevation. Similar to both Uniform Swiftlet and Mayr’s Swiftlet, but smaller, with a paler rump. Main call is a pleasant twitter, “twee-twee-chew-chew.”

White-browed Scrubwren

White-browed Scrubwren

Sericornis frontalis

Small scrubwren with white eyebrow and pale iris. Has a dark face with a clear white eyebrow and chin stripe. Primarily olive-brown with a black-and-white shoulder patch and paler front. Chin is white with varying levels of black streaking depending on the location. This species is widespread across eastern coastal Australia, but is absent in the northern areas. Western edge of its expected distribution is the Mt Lofty Ranges east of Adelaide. Found in a wide range of habitats but typically only present where there is reasonably thick undergrowth. It often makes a grumpy buzzing call but also sings a clear musical song.

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Lampornis amethystinus

Rather large hummingbird of humid evergreen and pine-oak forest in mountains. Fairly common, but typically inconspicuous in shady understory and at edges, where feeds at all levels on flowers. Despite the exciting name, often looks rather drab and grayish overall with a dark mask, whitish eyestripe, and dusky throat (amethyst gorget rarely catches the light). Note the blackish tail with small, pale gray corners.

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