Cinereous Tyrant

Knipolegus striaticeps

Medium-sized open country flycatcher of Chaco woodland and flooded grasslands in N Argentina, W Paraguay, and SE Bolivia. Male from other Knipolegus by, in male, all dark wingsand grayish (as opposed to deep black) plumage. Female told from other female Knipolegus by dull, indistinct streaks on underparts, brown cap, rufous rump, and dull reddish iris. Prefers exposed perches in open thorn forest, roadsides, agricultural lands, and towns.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Knipolegus striaticeps
Authority
(d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Knipolegus

Range and habitat

Migration
Complete migrants

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

White-tailed Emerald

White-tailed Emerald

Microchera chionura

Small hummingbird with restricted range in Costa Rica and western Panama. Male is mostly glittering emerald with a bright white lower belly and outer tail feathers. Female similar, but white extends up to the throat. Both sexes have relatively short and very slightly decurved bill. Compare with Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, which has coppery shoulders and rump and lacks white in tail. Found in the foothills of the Pacific slope, from around 800–2,200m, where it occurs in forest, edges, and gardens.

Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill

Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill

Bucorvus abyssinicus

A huge ground-dwelling hornbill. Males have a mix of blue and red bare facial skin, while females have entirely blue facial skin. In flight, a large white patch is revealed in the wings. Found in savanna, grassland, and agricultural habitats, usually in pairs or small groups, walking on the ground. Breeds and roosts in trees. Similar to Southern Ground-Hornbill, but there is little overlap in range, and Abyssinian is easily separated by the blue facial skin. The call is a series of deep “boop” notes. 

Ultramarine Grosbeak

Ultramarine Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia brissonii

Stunning dark blue bird with a huge bill. Male is mostly deep cobalt with paler highlights on the shoulder and eyebrow and a darker patch around the eye. Female is rich reddish-brown overall. Found singly or in pairs in scrubby wooded habitats, often near water. Can be skulky, preferring to forage in dense thickets. Occurs mostly in southeastern South America, with disjunct populations in Venezuela and Colombia. Compare with Blue-black Grosbeak, which doesn’t overlap much in range and is typically found in heavier forest.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.