Olive-capped Warbler

Setophaga pityophila

A lively small inhabitant of pine woodlands, typically found fairly high in trees. Similar to Bahama Warbler and Yellow-throated Warbler at first glance, but Olive-capped Warbler has a bright yellow-olive forehead and lacks the bold white eyebrow of those species. Also distinctive is the Olive-capped's dense, dark streaking that is restricted to the sides of the lowermost chest. Its song consists of several sweet notes on one pitch followed by several at a lower pitch; sometimes ending with a single note on original pitch. Call notes include one that is high and sharp and another that is sweet and slightly squeaky.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Setophaga pityophila
Authority
(Gundlach, 1855)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Parulidae
Genus
Setophaga

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Straw-tailed Whydah

Straw-tailed Whydah

Vidua fischeri

A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Purple Grenadiers. As with other whydahs, breeding males are spectacular, whereas non-breeding males and females are drab. Breeding males are mostly black, with golden-buff coloring on the cap, the belly, and the elongated central tail feathers. Non-breeding males and females have a brownish back, a golden-buff head, and a red bill. Found in rather dry savanna and cultivated areas. Non-breeding male and female can be identified by their red bill and their almost unmarked plain buff head. Not very vocal, but does imitate Purple Grenadier, and gives a quick jumble of high-pitched whistled notes. 

Flightless Steamer-Duck

Flightless Steamer-Duck

Tachyeres pteneres

A large heavily built duck that is uncommon to fairly common along rocky seacoasts; not found on lakes, unlike Flying Steamer-Duck. Both sexes are steely blue-gray overall, brighter than Flying Steamer-Duck, with a stouter and deeper-based bill. The bill of both male and female is bright orange in the southern parts of its range, but is orange with a greenish distal patch around Chiloé Island (likely a different species). The bill of juvenile birds is duller grayish to dull yellowish; attains adult color by winter.

Sao Francisco Sparrow

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Arremon franciscanus

Handsome, poorly-known sparrow with a bright olive back and a black-and-white face pattern. Note the yellow bill with a black upper ridge. Has a restricted distribution in the Sao Francisco valley, where it is found in scrubby areas of caatinga, usually foraging on the ground. The song is a series of high-pitched, vibrant notes: “twip-twip tsip-tsip-tsip-tsip.”  

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