Black-cheeked Gnateater
Conopophaga melanops
Small, compact bird with long legs and a short tail. Inhabits the dense understory of humid forests and second growth where it can be very difficult to see. Males are olive-brown above and gray below, with a rufous crown, a black face, and a white throat. Females lack the black face and have buffy-brown body with a white throat and eyebrow resembling Rufous Gnateater, but female Black-cheeked Gnateaters have an all dark bill (not bicolored as in Rufous Gnateater).
Identification
Measuring 11.5 cm (4.5 in), the black-cheeked gnateater is a small round bird with a short tail. It exhibits sexual dimorphism, as the male has distinctive coloured plumage and the female is a more overall brown in color. The male has a black face and cheeks with a contrasting orange crown and white throat. The upperparts are brownish and the underparts pale grey, the belly feathers more white and the flanks tending to buff. The female is more brown above with a white eyebrow and buff patch on the wings. It resembles the rufous gnateater.
Taxonomy
French naturalist Louis Pierre Vieillot described the black-cheeked gnateater in 1818, giving it the species name melanops from the Ancient Greek words melas "black" and ops "face". The black-cheeked gnateater has three subspecies:
- Scientific name
- Conopophaga melanops
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1818)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Conopophagidae
- Genus
- Conopophaga
Range and habitat
The black-cheeked gnateater is found in eastern Brazil, from Paraíba to Santa Catarina. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, where it is a bird of the understory and forest floor. Its range along the eastern coastal areas of Brazil has been fragmented by destruction of habitat. Despite the showy plumage, this and other gnateaters are furtive and not often seen.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The black-cheeked gnateater is monogamous and territorial, the average size for a territory measured at 2.94 hectares. Breeding takes place over three months and the platform-like nest is constructed on branches or a palm leaf near the ground. A clutch of two eggs is laid.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Blue-naped Parrot
Tanygnathus lucionensis
Medium-sized parrot with a huge candy-red bill. Bright green overall, with eye-catching blue-and-yellow edgings on the wing feathers. Namesake sky-blue patch, which extends from the upper nape to the back of the crown, can be difficult to see. Inhabits lowland and foothill forests and other wooded areas, often on small offshore islands. Forages in flocks, screeching loudly to one another to stay in contact. Native to the Philippines and small offshore islands in Malaysia; feral population established in Kota Kinabalu. Declining across much of its range, and extirpated in some areas.
Stripe-backed Bittern
Botaurus involucris
Very small, striped buffy heron of wetlands and lake edges with dense reeds and rushes. Boldly striped back pattern is distinctive. In flight shows contrasting broad rusty trailing edge to wings. Usually seen as single birds hidden in reeds or making short flights low over reeds or across patches of open water. Clambers easily and stealthily; hunts from perches over water, where sits patiently before stabbing at fish. Mostly silent.
Southern Lapwing
Vanellus chilensis
Raucous, conspicuous shorebird. Distinctive color pattern with black breast, white belly, gray head, and bronzy shoulder. Wings boldly patterned in flight. Often in pairs or small flocks in open habitats, usually near water but also in dry pastures. Loud grating call is a good clue to its presence.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.