Black-faced Firefinch
Lagonosticta larvata
An unusual and distinctive firefinch with very different male and female plumages. Males have a black face, while the color of the underparts varies geographically from pale gray to pale pink to rosy red. Females are mostly gray-brown with a reddish tint to the underparts and a pale undertail. Generally uncommon in woodland, grassland, and thickets, often near water. Sometimes mixes with other waxbills. The female is similar to other female firefinches, but is separated by its combination of a pale undertail and dark bill. The common calls are soft, repeated whistles.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lagonosticta larvata
- Authority
- (Rüppell, 1840)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Lagonosticta
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Red-browed Amazon
Amazona rhodocorytha
Large and mostly green parrot, notable for its orange-red forehead, grading to purplish-brown on the hind-crown, a reddish base of the bill, and wing patches framed by dark purplish flight feathers. A rare and threatened inhabitant of the canopy of humid, usually lowland forests.
Black-hooded Sierra Finch
Phrygilus atriceps
Attractive small “finch” that is actually a tanager of the high Andes; found in villages, agricultural terraces, scrubby slopes, and bogs. Associates readily with other small seed-eating birds and in some places is tame and acclimated, begging for food at picnic sites. Handsome male is striking and distinctive with a golden back and plain dark wings (compare with smaller siskins). Female and immature are duller, but dark slaty hood and golden tones to back are distinctive. Compare with Gray-hooded Sierra-Finch to south and Peruvian Sierra-Finch to north.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Empidonax flaviventris
Small flycatcher, extremely similar to several other species. Generally shy and inconspicuous; breeds in spruce forests often near boggy areas. Migrants tend to be found in denser wet areas within woods. Olive-greenish above with distinctive yellow wash on throat and belly. Black wings with bold white wingbars. Nearly identical to Western Flycatchers, but limited range overlap. Within range, main confusion species is Least Flycatcher. Bright yellow throat and belly is usually enough to identify Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, but some worn birds can be very similar. Song is similar to Least Flycatcher ("chebek") but more slurred, with a soft buzzy tone. Not frequently repeated like Least Flycatcher. Soft whistled call note, "pwee," unlike Least's sharp "whit" call.
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