Black-backed Tanager
Stilpnia peruviana
Beautiful multicolored tanager found in coastal forests, forest edges, and gardens where it forages in pairs or small groups. Males are blue-green below with a cinnamon head, black mask, black back, and straw-colored rump, vent, and wing coverts. Females are duller and have a green back and wings with a cinnamon vent and lack the male’s mask. They are essentially identical to female Chestnut-backed Tanagers. The call is an extremely high-pitched “si.”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Stilpnia peruviana
- Authority
- (Desmarest, 1806)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Stilpnia
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-throated Screech-Owl
Megascops albogularis
Large screech-owl found in temperate forests, typically from around 2,300–3,400 m. Quite dark brown overall with small pale spots and bars covering head, back, and wings. Belly is paler tawny with dark streaks. White throat patch is usually obvious. Sexes similar. Strictly nocturnal and thus more often heard than seen; listen for a fairly short and slow series of toots that descends in pitch, often given as a duet.
Black-thighed Grosbeak
Pheucticus tibialis
Large-billed bird with yellow head, body, and black back and wings. Look for massive triangular bill and obvious white patch on wing. Sexes similar. Found in open wooded areas like forest edges, second growth, and gardens. Usually seen singly or in pairs.
Rock Partridge
Alectoris graeca
This well-marked European endemic prefers rocky slopes and dry areas of hill and montane forest. Up to 3,000 m (10,000 ft), but can be found in lower-lying open flat areas with sparse grass and low bushes in some regions. Highly territorial and vocal, giving an irregular series of "chick chek pe-ti-chek chi-chek" notes, particularly in the early morning. Often runs away rather than flying. Throat is white, while similar looking Chukar has a creamy throat; virtually no overlap in range with other similar species.
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