Yellow-headed Brushfinch
Atlapetes flaviceps
Oddly colored brushfinch with a limited range in the central and western Andes of Colombia. Plumage is unlike that of any other brushfinch, with mostly yellow head and underparts contrasting with its grayish-olive back, wings, and tail. Some birds have dark patches on the ear and crown. Inhabits cloud forest, and while it usually stays fairly low, it will sometimes ascend to surprisingly high levels. Vocalizations include a short series of sweet chips and a longer, descending cascade of trills and rattles.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Atlapetes flaviceps
- Authority
- Chapman, 1912
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Genus
- Atlapetes
Range and habitat
This bird was encountered in the La Plata Vieja Valley in Huila Department in 1967, but the only recent records are from the upper Coello River basin in Tolima Department (the Toché River is one of the main tributaries of the Coello River). Namely, it is found between 1,000 and 2,500 meters ASL in Cajamarca, Ibagué and Roncesvalles and perhaps Rovira municipalities, in the upper reaches of the Anaime, Cocora, Combeima and Toché river valleys.<p>It remains locally common in thick secondary vegetation and degraded forest, bordering gallery forest and arracacha (Arracacia xanthorriza) and granadilla (Passiflora species) plantations. The yellow-headed brush finch has been observed to take part in mixed-species feeding flocks together with the common bush-tanager (Chlorospingus ophthalmicus), white-throated tyrannulet (Mecocerculus leucophrys), golden-fronted whitestart (Myioborus ornatus), blue-and-black tanager (Tangara vassorii), blue-capped tanager (Thraupis cyanocephala) and fawn-breasted tanager (Pipraeidea melanonota). It is threatened by habitat loss; most areas in the inter-Andean valleys of Colombia have already been converted to agricultural land. The total population is believed to be at least 250 but not more than 1,000 adult birds.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Northern Carmine Bee-eater
Merops nubicus
Large and gorgeous bee-eater with a mostly carmine body, and blue-green head and belly. The central tail feathers are elongated. In flight, reveals a blue-green rump, and rosy underwings with black trailing edge. Found in a variety of savanna habitats. Usually in flocks, and breeds colonially in riverbanks. Often perches on the backs of mammals and large birds, catching the insects that they disturb. The call is low-pitched and raspy, less musical than most bee-eaters. Similar to Southern Carmine Bee-eater, but there is virtually no overlap in range, and easily separated by the blue-green rather than carmine throat.
Yellow-crowned Flowerpecker
Dicaeum anthonyi
A tiny bird of mossy montane forest and edge on Luzon. Male has glossy black upperparts, pale underparts (whiter on the throat), and the namesake yellow crown stripe. Female has olive upperparts. Similar to Bicolored Flowerpecker, but male Yellow-crowned has a bright crown patch and female has a more yellowish belly. Voice includes a high-pitched descending whistle and a sharp “tsik!” Treated by some taxonomies as subspecies of Flame-crowned Flowerpecker, which is endemic to Mindanao.
Black-chested Sparrow
Peucaea humeralis
Very handsome but rather local sparrow endemic to interior southwest Mexico. Found in scrubby woodland and edge of dry tropical foothills and interior valleys. Usually in pairs or small groups, which keep in touch with high, rhythmic twittering choruses. Can be very skulking. Mostly stays low in brush or on the ground, but sings from atop bushes. Plumage distinctive, with black chest, white whisker, and rusty back.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.