Fulvous-crowned Scrub-Tyrant

Euscarthmus meloryphus

Very small grayish-brown flycatcher. Note dull buffy color around the eye and on the crown. Occurs in dry areas and pastures with scattered trees and bushes where it mostly forages near the ground and is typically difficult to spot. It is very noisy, emitting fast sputtering calls, sometimes in a duet. Disjunct range includes northern Venezuela and Colombia and eastern Brazil to Argentina.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Euscarthmus meloryphus
Authority
Wied-Neuwied, M, 1831
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Euscarthmus

Range and habitat

Migration
Complete migrants

Conservation

Population trend
rising

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

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. 

Desert Finch

Desert Finch

Rhodospiza obsoleta

This subtly handsome finch is unique in its range; warm sandy brown with bright pink and silver flashes in the wings. Sexes are similar, but the male boasts a restricted black mask extending from the front of the eye to the base of the stout charcoal-black bill, which the female lacks. Not restricted to deserts but generally does prefer dry, open areas in middle to high altitude regions. Frequents villages, towns, and even cities. Gives a tumbling series of random-sounding notes, usually with a rather hoarse, buzzy quality. Calls include “chip” and “chink” notes and buzzy wheezes.

Blue-masked Leafbird

Blue-masked Leafbird

Chloropsis venusta

The smallest and most unique-looking of the leafbirds. Stout-bodied, with a relatively long, faintly curved bill. Both sexes have a blue face and yellowish-green belly; males also have an orangish chest and purplish throat. Endemic to Sumatran foothill forests, where it is typically encountered in pairs up in the canopy. Songs include a high-pitched jumble of notes and a repetitive squeaky “tsi’wee, tsi’wee”; calls include a dry “chit” and a sputtering rattle.

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