Short-tailed Babbler
Pellorneum malaccense
Long-legged babbler with an almost nonexistent stump for a tail, found in primary and secondary evergreen lowland and foothill forest. Warm brown overall with paler underparts and a gray face with slightly moustached appearance. Upright stance and general profile make it seem almost pitta-like. Forages on or very close to the ground. Not as social as other forest babblers: typically encountered singly or in pairs. Calls are often dry and insect-like or mechanical. Song comprises a beginning phrase of dry chattering notes and a series of around half a dozen descending whistles.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pellorneum malaccense
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pellorneidae
- Genus
- Pellorneum
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Philippine Spinetail
Mearnsia picina
A little-known medium-sized, short-tailed swift found over forest, usually at higher elevations. Mainly black with obvious white throat and underwing patches. Wing shape is unusual, with a “cut-out” next to the body and pointed wing tips curved backward. Tail square, with spines that are difficult to see. Distinguished from other swifts in its range by the white marks under the wings. Voice unknown.
Scrub Euphonia
Euphonia affinis
Tiny finch of tropical lowlands and foothills, especially in drier areas. Occurs from eastern Mexico to Costa Rica, where it is found in open woodland, forest edge, and clearings with trees. Usually in pairs, sometimes small groups that associate readily with other euphonias, especially when feeding at mistletoe. Male has black head and throat with yellow forehead patch; female rather drab, but lacks vested appearance of female Yellow-throated Euphonia, which is slightly larger.
Boreal Chickadee
Poecile hudsonicus
Restricted to coniferous forests in the far northern U.S. and Canada. Similar in size and shape to other chickadees, but with unique color pattern: brown cap, black throat, and rich orange-buff flanks. Typically fairly shy; can be difficult to get a good view as it sneaks through the dense spruces. Voice sounds like a wheezy Black-capped Chickadee; slower with more slurred notes.
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