Puerto Rican Bullfinch
Melopyrrha portoricensis
A boldly patterned species of dense woodlands and scrub. Adults are deep black with small patches of bright red on throat, crown, and vent. Youngsters are brownish with an orange vent. Both have stout conical bills, and the appearance of both is unique within its range. Often heard before seen. The song typically consists of three to five whistled “wheet” notes followed by a thin buzzy “zzzzz.” Calls include a soft “chup” and whistled “chew-wee.”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Melopyrrha portoricensis
- Authority
- (Daudin, 1800)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Melopyrrha
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Sladen's Barbet
Gymnobucco sladeni
Dark, chunky barbet with an odd tuft of buff feathers on its forehead. Usually found in small groups on and around dead trees in lowland rainforest, gallery forest, and secondary growth. Sometimes occurs alongside Gray-throated Barbet. The vocalizations include nasal “squeaky toy” calls and agitated dry rattles. Gray-throated Barbet also has a dark bill, but Sladen’s Barbet is separated from that species by its largely unfeathered head.
Crimson Rosella
Platycercus elegans
Colorful rosella with blue cheek patches and highly variable plumage, occuring in crimson, yellow, and orange forms. Note diagnostic blue cheek regardless of form (the Green Rosella of Tasmania also has blue cheeks but the two species’ ranges do not normally overlap). Juvenile much greener than adult, attaining a blotched mixed plumage as they transition to adult. Found in a wide range of habitats in southeastern Australia. In many locations it is accustomed to humans and can be quite tame. Contact call is a familiar two-toned whistle.
Cassin's Finch
Haemorhous cassinii
Males have red concentrated on crown (brighter than throat) with pinkish wash coming into breast; flanks are pale with only a few fine streaks. Females are similar to Purple Finch but with more diffuse face pattern and finer streaks on flanks. Both sexes tend to show more peaked head and longer bill than House and Purple Finch. Found in mountainous regions, mainly in coniferous forests, drifting to lower elevations in winter. Visits feeders.
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