Imeri Warbling-Antbird
Hypocnemis flavescens
Small antbird. Males are streaked black above, with a yellow-tinged throat and rusty flanks. Females are similar but with brownish streaks above. Inhabits the understory of both non-flooded and seasonally flooded forests, and regularly attends army-ant swarms. The song is a descending series of whistles that ends with a harsh note: “tew, tew-tzew-tzew-tur paw, paw.” The similar Guianan Warbling-Antbird has a white throat and is more streaked on the breast; the song also has a different pace. The Peruvian Warbling-Antbird has more black on the throat and breast and is less yellow below.
Identification
Small antbird. Males are streaked black above, with a yellow-tinged throat and rusty flanks. Females are similar but with brownish streaks above. Inhabits the understory of both non-flooded and seasonally flooded forests, and regularly attends army-ant swarms. The song is a descending series of whistles that ends with a harsh note: “tew, tew-tzew-tzew-tur paw, paw.” The similar Guianan Warbling-Antbird has a white throat and is more streaked on the breast; the song also has a different pace. The Peruvian Warbling-Antbird has more black on the throat and breast and is less yellow below.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Hypocnemis flavescens
- Authority
- Sclater, PL, 1865
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thamnophilidae
- Genus
- Hypocnemis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Western Red-legged Thrush
Turdus plumbeus
An often conspicuous ground-dwelling species that occurs in a wide variety of habitats from brush and gardens to dense woods. Appearance highly variable across its range but throughout is unique in its blue-tinged gray plumage combined with bright orange-red legs and eyering. Song is typically a series of deliberate whistled couplets. Calls include a variety of squeaks, chucks, and a loud “tsee-up.”
White-faced Starling
Sturnornis albofrontatus
Small, dark-backed starling with lightly streaked, gray underparts and noticeable white face. Found in pairs and small groups within the canopy of forest in the lowlands and foothills. Only starling in Sri Lanka with uniformly dark upperparts, extending onto nape and rear crown. Most often heard call is a harsh “chyup”. Song is an untidy series of warbles and scratchy notes.
Shelley's Starling
Lamprotornis shelleyi
A small dark starling of dry country. The upperparts are iridescent, with a blue sheen on the head and green on most of the wing. Also note the chestnut underparts and the yellow-orange eye. Found in dry thorn savanna and thorn scrub, usually in small wandering flocks, often with other species of starlings. Similar to Hildebrandt’s Starling, but slightly smaller and darker overall, with a deeper rufous belly and a less contrasting green wing. Also reminiscent of Superb Starling, but doesn’t have a white chest band. Gives mewing calls, often in a long, continuous series.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.