Little Rock-Thrush

Monticola rufocinereus

A small rock-thrush with blue-gray upperparts and hood and an orange belly. The tail has a black-and-orange “T” pattern that is conspicuous in flight. Males and females vary slightly: males are cleaner blue-gray above, while females are more brownish. Found locally in a variety of habitats with a mix of rocks, trees, and bushes. Sometimes also on and around human structures. Similar to redstarts, but easily distinguished by the clean gray hood and the lack of black on the face. Also similar to male Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush, but smaller, lacking white on the back, and with a more extensive gray hood. The quiet song consists of musical phrases that can be short or quite long. 

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Monticola rufocinereus
Authority
(Rüppell, 1837)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Muscicapidae
Genus
Monticola

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Comoro Cuckooshrike

Comoro Cuckooshrike

Ceblepyris cucullatus

A medium-sized bird with a gray back, a black hood, and pale underparts. There is an unusual and rare olive morph in which the head and back are olive-gray and the underparts greenish-buff. The juvenile is a drastically different-looking heavily streaked and spotted bird. Found locally in montane forest on the islands of Grand Comoro and Moheli. The most common vocalizations are a descending high-pitched series of soft whistles and a mild, chatty series of “chew” and “tew” notes. Within its small range, most similar to Grand Comoro and Moheli Bulbuls, but easily separated by the paler underparts and lack of an orange bill. 

Violet-tailed Sylph

Violet-tailed Sylph

Aglaiocercus coelestis

Striking hummingbird with extremely long tail. Male is mostly emerald green with blue-green throat. Long forked tail is iridescent purple and blue. Female is much different but still distinctive with her orange belly and white breast. Found in the foothills and subtropical zones of the Andes, from around 900–2,000 m, only in western Ecuador and Colombia. Usually forages low in forest or at the forest edge. Visits feeders.

Great Black Hawk

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

Uncommon in forest, marshes, and mangroves, where usually greatly outnumbered by similar Common Black Hawk. Slightly larger and lankier than Common Black Hawk, with longer legs and tail, and adults of the two species have very different calls in flight. Adult Great Black has 2 white tail bands (1 on Common) and less extensive yellow in face. Immature looks whiter-headed than Common (no big black moustaches), and its longer tail has narrower and more numerous pale bars. Usually warier than Common, which can be quite unconcerned by people.

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