Crescent-chested Warbler
Oreothlypis superciliosa
Attractive, fairly common warbler of oak and pine-oak woods in highlands and foothills. Typically forages in leaf clusters and is usually seen at middle to upper levels in canopy, especially in oaks. Often associates with mixed-species feeding flocks of other warblers, vireos, titmice, and orioles, etc. Note the bold white eyebrow, lack of white wingbars, and the extensive yellow bib with a variable dark reddish crescent on the breast (can be almost absent on some immatures). Song is a cicada-like buzz.
Identification
The crescent-chested warbler is superficially similar to both the northern parula and the tropical parula, with yellow underparts, a gray head, and a greenish back, but neither of these has a bold white eyebrow. Adult males have a discrete chestnut crescent on the breast, which is less prominent and sometimes lacking in females and young birds.
Taxonomy
Genus: Oreothlypis; Family: Parulidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Oreothlypis superciliosa
- Authority
- (Hartlaub, 1844)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Parulidae
- Genus
- Oreothlypis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Racket-tailed Treepie
Crypsirina temia
Glossy black corvid with a long, broad-tipped tail and brilliant blue eyes. Plumage shines glossy blue-green in good lighting. Small black mask encloses the eye and bill base. Compare Ratchet-tailed Treepie, which is darker-eyed and has a tail shaped like a chainsaw. Clambers and jumps through the vegetation, singly or in pairs or occasionally small flocks, in open lowland and foothill forests and forest edges. Gives various rasping, croaking, and nasal notes.
Jet Antbird
Cercomacra nigricans
Small slender antbird, found in pairs skulking through low tangles in forest and edges. Male is very dark black with obvious white fringes on shoulder. Female similar to male but gray instead of black and shows white streaks on throat. Could be confused with Dot-winged Antwren, which is less skulky and has larger white spots on wing and tail; also note very different female plumage. Usually heard more often than seen; listen for harsh nasal song emanating from from the undergrowth: “reh-er, reh-er, reh-er.”
White-faced Quail-Dove
Zentrygon albifacies
Fairly large but elusive dove of humid evergreen and pine-evergreen forests in the highlands. It feeds mainly on the forest floor and may be seen beside quiet trails early and late in the day either walking quickly away or flushing explosively from close range. Heard much more often than seen. Rusty brown overall with blue-gray crown and whitish face. It Lacks the white tail corners of the smaller and grayer White-tipped Dove and is much larger than the male Ruddy Quail-Dove, with a different head pattern.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.