Perija Brushfinch
Arremon perijanus
Handsome brushfinch found only in the Perijá Mountains along the Colombia-Venezuela border, well north of the main chain of the Andes. It’s black mask and breast band, white throat, striped head, and olive back make it easy to identify within its very limited range. Inhabits cloud forest understory, where it can be shy and hard to see. Often first detected by its high-pitched, squeaky song.
Identification
Handsome brushfinch found only in the Perijá Mountains along the Colombia-Venezuela border, well north of the main chain of the Andes. It’s black mask and breast band, white throat, striped head, and olive back make it easy to identify within its very limited range. Inhabits cloud forest understory, where it can be shy and hard to see. Often first detected by its high-pitched, squeaky song.
Taxonomy
The Perijá brushfinch was often treated as a subspecies of the stripe-headed brushfinch (A. torquatus), but was determined a distinct species, on the basis of differences in vocalization, plumage, and genetics. The SACC split the group in 2010.
- Scientific name
- Arremon perijanus
- Authority
- (Phelps, WH & Gilliard, 1940)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Genus
- Arremon
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
South Georgia Pipit
Anthus antarcticus
This small streaky buff-brown ground-dweller is the only resident songbird on South Georgia Island, where it inhabits rocky shorelines, offshore islets, inland pools, and stands of tussac grass. Forages actively for invertebrates, running about and flicking its tail. Like many other Antarctic and subantarctic species, can be quite confiding, often allowing for close approach. Gives husky metallic “wick” and “tsik” notes, the latter typically given when in flight. Males perform a songflight display, giving jangling metallic phrases at well-spaced intervals.
Lesser Ground-Robin
Amalocichla incerta
A fairly small, long-legged bird of montane forest floor. Brown above with rufous edges to the flight feathers, buffy chest, white throat, and white spot behind the bill. Same general shape and habits as the Greater Ground-Robin, but Lesser occurs at lower elevations and is much smaller. Heard more often than seen. Song, a series of whistled notes, either rising, falling or the same pitch.
Black-winged Lory
Trichoglossus cyanogenius
A large, long-tailed lory of forest and secondary growth on the Bay Islands. Mainly red plumage, with violet mask, and black shoulder, flanks and upper tail. In flight, mainly red from below. Seen in pairs or small flocks. In range, the only other similar-sized red parrots are Black-capped Lory, which has black and yellow in the wing and a shorter, rounded tail; and Rainbow Lorikeet which has green wings and tail. Call, a shrill, ringing “kriik!” or double “kriik kruk!” with the second note lower.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.