Chestnut-winged Cinclodes
Cinclodes albidiventris
This species occurs from western Venezuela to extreme northern Peru. It is fairly common in high elevation grasslands or open shrubby areas with patches of bare ground. Look for a medium-sized, chunky brown bird with a bold whitish eyebrow and throat. In flight, shows an obvious buffy wing stripe. Singles or pairs forage in the open and are often quite approachable. Compare with Stout-billed Cinclodes, which as you may have deduced from the name has a notably stouter (and more curved) bill. Chestnut-winged was formerly a member of the Bar-winged Cinclodes complex, which has since been split into three species.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Cinclodes albidiventris
- Authority
- Sclater, PL, 1860
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Furnariidae
- Genus
- Cinclodes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Large-billed Scrubwren
Sericornis magnirostra
Small brown bird with long pointed bill, long pinkish legs, and off-white eye ring. Inhabits rainforest and wet eucalypt woodlands, where it forages for insects mostly in lower and mid-canopy, often on tree trunks; unlikely to be seen on the ground.
Indian Nightjar
Caprimulgus asiaticus
Cryptically-colored nightbird. Note white “moustache” streak, golden-brown collar, and pointed buff-and-black feathers above the wing. Much more intricately marked than Large-tailed Nightjar; also lacks white throat of that species. Not as diffusely patterned as Savanna and Jungle Nightjars, both of which lack Indian’s white “moustache” and clear collar. Male shows bright white patches near the wingtips and on the tail-tips in flight. Found in a range of wooded habitats, from hilly dry forest to garden edges. Listen for its distinctive song, an accelerating knocking akin to a ping-pong ball dropping and bouncing rapidly on the floor.
Eurasian Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeus
Masterfully camouflaged nightbird. Shape resembles a cuckoo or falcon, but plumage is cryptic, like dead leaves. Patterning varies subtly over wide range. Male has white tail corners and white band on the wing. Active at night and rarely seen by chance, but might be flushed from daytime roost on the ground. Loud churring song at dusk and night may draw attention. Favors open habitats, from dry plains to forest clearings. Hunts from a perch on the ground or a tree, sallying out and flying with agile, rather jerky wingbeats.
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