Western Rock Nuthatch
Sitta neumayer
Typical-looking nuthatch with gray upperparts, dingy white underparts, and a black mask. Favors mountainous rocky areas, and is often seen actively feeding on boulders and cliffs, not normally on trees. Builds a unique, huge mud nest that it sticks to cliffs and rocks and uses year-round. Song and call are a loud and bubbling series of descending whistles “Piu-piu-piu-piu…” or “Pi pi pi pu-pu-pu-pu…” Somewhat similar to Eurasian Nuthatch, but larger, longer- and stronger-billed, and uses different habitats. Eastern Rock Nuthatch is also similar, but larger and heavier than the present species, with an even larger bill and thicker black eye stripe.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Sitta neumayer
- Authority
- Michahelles, 1830
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sittidae
- Genus
- Sitta
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Large Gray Babbler
Argya malcolmi
Large gray-brown babbler with piercing yellow eyes. Can be confused with Jungle Babbler, with which it sometimes associates; look for strong dark lores and a darker bill. Favors scrubby areas, forest edge, and open dry forests. Like many other related babblers, typically hops around on the ground in flocks. Chatters persistently; the most common call is a loud, nasal “kaaa-kaaa-kaaa”.
Stripe-chested Antwren
Myrmotherula longicauda
Small, streaky antbird of humid forest along the east slope of the Andes; also found in lowlands away from the mountains in a few areas. Male is boldly striped with black and white. Female is black and tan with a similar stripy pattern but has plainer underparts. Inhabits dense vegetation at forest edge or overgrown clearings. Song is an excited series of doubled notes: “hiccup, hiccup, hiccup…”
Trinidad Euphonia
Euphonia trinitatis
Chunky, small bird with short bill and tail. Male blue black above and on throat, bright yellow below and on forecrown. Female olive above and yellow below with grayish-white breast. Both sexes show extensive white on underside of tail. Often in pairs, with male perching and singing from tops of trees. Common in dry to humid woodlands. Common call consists of two clear, whistled notes, “tee dee.” Male distinguished from other euphonias by forecrown color and size, along with color of throat and underparts; male plumage identical to Purple-throated Euphonia. Female distinguished by presence of gray-white color in breast, along with color of undertail coverts and white underside to tail.
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