Short-tailed Batis
Batis mixta
Males have the typical batis pattern of black, white, and gray. Females have a more unusual pattern, with rufous in the wing and either a rufous or gray wash across the breast. Both sexes have a narrow pale eyebrow and orange or reddish eyes. Found in forest at low and middle elevations, often in pairs. Very similar to Dark Batis, but there is no known overlap in range. Males are similar to Chinspot and Pale Batises, but are distinguished by the darker eye and shorter tail. Females are distinctive. The song is variable, but is usually a long series of identical low-pitched tooting notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Batis mixta
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Platysteiridae
- Genus
- Batis
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Sumatran Cochoa
Cochoa beccarii
Bulky and sluggish inhabitant of Sumatra’s highland forests. Resembles a cross between a large thrush and a small crow; both sexes are glossy black with an electric-blue tail, wing panel, and crown. Males have a dark face, whereas females have a buffy one. Dull naked red skin around the eye can be evident at close range. Like other cochoas, its inactive habits can make this species difficult to see as it perches up in dense vegetation. Song is a haunting mournful whistle.
Ecuadorian Rail
Rallus aequatorialis
Medium-sized, brightly colored rail. Overall orange with red bill and legs, gray cheek, and black stripes on back. Found locally in freshwater marshes in the high Andes of Ecuador and southernmost Colombia, as well as a few very rare populations near the coast in Peru. No similar species in range. Shy and not often seen, but sometimes wanders along the edge of reeds. Most easily detected by voice; most common call is a wheezy, descending and accelerating series of grunts.
Pechora Pipit
Anthus gustavi
Small, graceful ground-dwelling songbird of open areas with patches of low shrubby cover. Strongly streaked overall with a warm brown back and creamy underparts. Noticeably smaller than Richard's and Paddyfield Pipits, slenderer in appearance than American and Red-throated. Bold black-and-white streaks on back distinguish Pechora from other species. Song is an almost insect-like hard buzzing trill with harsher nasal elements. Call is a hard “tsik.”
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