Ceara Gnateater
Conopophaga cearae
Plump rufous bird with a whitish belly and long legs. Males have a narrow white tuft behind the eye that can be erected when excited. In females, this is orange-gray. Has a small range in evergreen forest and coastal forest, where it forages in the understory. The song is a series of whistled notes that gradually become louder. The call is a sharp “tcheek!”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Conopophaga cearae
- Authority
- Cory, 1916
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Conopophagidae
- Genus
- Conopophaga
Range and habitat
Ceará gnateaters are endemic to a small region in northeastern Brazil with upland evergreen forest. They can be found in these Brazilian states: Ceará, Pernambuco, Paraíba, Rio Grande Do Norte, and Alagoas. They are predominantly found in dense understory where they nest and forage.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
There has been conflicting information on this species endangered status. Its population is considered stable, but there has been a lack of studies regarding actual population numbers. Some sources say its status should be changed to vulnerable due to its restricted range which makes it susceptible to habitat loss.<p>AQUASIS is a non-profit organization that works in the Brazilian state of Ceara to prevent the extinction of endangered species. Although the Ceara gnateater is not one of their species of focus, this organization works to protect areas where they exist.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
Lanky, fierce-looking, glossy blackbird. A bit larger than a jay; smaller, proportionally longer-tailed and shorter-winged than a crow. Staring yellow eye and long heavy bill (compared to Red-winged Blackbird). Often in flocks with other blackbirds in winter. Forages in fields, scrubby areas, and open woods. Visits feeders.
Aldabra Drongo
Dicrurus aldabranus
Bold, black fork-tailed bird with a red eye. There is sometimes but not always a tuft of long feathers above the bill. Juveniles have an unusual pale-gray plumage, but still show the forked tail. Found in all habitats with bushes and trees on the remote Seychelles island of Aldabra, including forest, mangroves, and thick scrub. Perches prominently in the open, swooping out to catch insects on the wing. Often follows Madagascar Coucals and Aldabra Giant Tortoises, feeding on insects that they disturb. Song is a repeated sequence of whistles, creaks, and rasps.
Pavonine Quetzal
Pharomachrus pavoninus
Stocky green-and-red quetzal of lowland rainforest. Perches in the mid story of mature rainforest, where most common in upland (terra firme) areas and areas around water. Compared to trogons, is larger and chunkier, with a red bill and without a prominent eye ring. The green uppertail coverts are long, extending down the back side of the tail to just past the tail tip. Listen for its song, a repeated two note series of a breathy whistle followed by a soft note, “wheeew … tuck … wheeew … tuck …”.
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