Unicolored Jay

Aphelocoma unicolor

Well-named, this uniformly deep-blue jay occurs locally in highland evergreen and pine-evergreen forest. Like most jays, usually found in groups, often in association with mixed-species feeding flocks that include orioles, woodcreepers, and other jay species. Most likely confused with southern forms of Steller’s Jay, which occur in the same areas. Steller’s has bold white face spots, darker plumage with barring on wings, and short crest (which can be held flat). Also note rather different voices.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Aphelocoma unicolor
Authority
(Du Bus de Gisignies, 1847)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Corvidae
Genus
Aphelocoma

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Chrysolampis mosquitus

Small hummingbird with a rather large range across northeastern South America and eastern Panama. Male is unmistakable with a golden throat, a ruby-red crown, and an orange tail with dark tips. Female is trickier to identify, but note the pale gray underparts, white-tipped tail feathers, and dull grayish green upperparts. The short and slightly decurved bill should also help identify the female. Fairly common in open habitats, including savannah, forest edge, and gardens.

Savanna Nightjar

Savanna Nightjar

Caprimulgus affinis

Well-camouflaged nightbird, usually encountered roosting on gravel riverbeds, open areas in grasslands, rooftops, or roadsides. Sometimes found in small loose flocks when roosting. Fairly well adapted to urban life in some parts of its range and often found in towns and city edges. Intricately patterned gray-brown with less white than other nightjars; only males have a fairly small white patch on the wing near the tip. Most often detected by its distinctive, high-pitched, burry “chree-ik” song, repeated over and over.

Rufous-chested Tanager

Rufous-chested Tanager

Thlypopsis ornata

Small warblerlike tanager. Note orange head, breast, and flanks, gray-brown back, and white belly. Sexes similar. Found in montane woodland, edges, and shrubby areas in the Andes from Colombia to Peru from around 1,800–3,200 m. Usually seen in pairs, which forage in the middle levels, often with mixed-species flocks. Compare with Brown-flanked Tanager in Peru, which has duller brown flanks that contrast with orange head and breast.

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Unicolored Jay | BirdLens