Golden-crowned Tanager

Iridosornis rufivertex

Distinctive tanager found in the temperate zone of the Andes from western Venezuela to northwest Peru. Mostly dark cobalt blue with black head and bright yellow cap. Also note rufous undertail coverts in most of range. Uncommon. Singles or pairs move slowly in the understory of montane forest and scrubby edge up to treeline. Sometimes but not always follows a mixed-species flock. Can be inconspicuous.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Iridosornis rufivertex
Authority
(Lafresnaye, 1842)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thraupidae
Genus
Iridosornis

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Slender-billed Tyrannulet

Slender-billed Tyrannulet

Inezia tenuirostris

Very active, a small, greenish-brown flycatcher with yellowish underparts. Shows a short bill with orange base, faint whitish eyebrow, and contrasting white wing bars. Sexes similar. Common, often alone or in pairs foraging; territorial, found in dry areas with scrub and small trees or mangrove border. Song is a fast trill “tr’r’r’R’R’R’R’r’r’r’r.” Similar to Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet, which shows more of a crest, less contrasting wing bars, and heavier and more curved bill. Found in northeastern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela.

Uluguru Bushshrike

Uluguru Bushshrike

Malaconotus alius

A large, unusual bushshrike of Tanzania’s Uluguru Mountains with a huge bill, a black head, a green back, and yellow underparts. Found in the canopy of montane forest, usually in pairs. Most often detected by the distinctive and unusual voice, which consists of sliding whistles given in pairs, one lower and one higher, along with well-spaced ratcheting notes. These two vocalizations are usually synchronized as a duet by a pair. 

Buckley's Forest-Falcon

Buckley's Forest-Falcon

Micrastur buckleyi

Elusive falcon of lowland and foothill rainforest east of the Andes. Note black upperparts, white underparts, white hindcollar, and dull yellow face. Female may show white spots on wings. Immature is barred underneath with brownish nape. Adult is very similar to pale morph Collared Forest-Falcon but slightly smaller; ID is best confirmed by voice. Typical song of Buckley’s is “kawah, koh”, sometimes followed by a lower “koh” note. Usually stays inside forest and is infrequently seen.

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