Paramo Seedeater
Catamenia homochroa
This rare seedeater is most often found around bamboo at the scrubby edge of temperate zone forest, up to near treeline in the Andes. Disjunct populations are also found in the Santa Marta Mountains in Colombia and the Venezuelan tepuis. The male is dark slaty gray with a blacker face, a contrasting pale pinkish bill, and rufous undertail coverts. Females are paler and browner than males, with dark streaks on the back. Note the warmer rufous undertail coverts and pale bill on females. Can be found singly, in pairs, or small groups, occasionally following a mixed-species flock through the understory. Compare with Plain-colored Seedeater, which is often found in more open grassy habitats.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Catamenia homochroa
- Authority
- Sclater, PL, 1859
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Catamenia
Range and habitat
It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Perija Metaltail
Metallura iracunda
Small, short-billed hummingbird found only in the Perijá Mountains, which straddle the border between Colombia and Venezuela. Similar to the more common Tyrian Metalail, but larger with a longer coppery (not bluish) tail; male is also darker and female has speckles on the throat. Inhabits scrubby areas in and around high elevation grasslands near tree line, typically at higher elevations than Tyrian Metaltail, but there is some overlap.
Silver Gull
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
Small gray gull with red legs. Adult has red bill (younger birds have a darker bill), white head and body, pale gray "silver" wings, which have prominent black and white tips. Abundant across much of New Zealand and coastal Australia, including inland areas around waterways and rivers.
Wood Thrush
Hylocichla mustelina
Boldly patterned thrush is bright rusty-brown above with black spots on the white belly. Smaller than a robin, but larger than Hermit Thrush. Sticks to wooded areas, often hopping on the ground. More often heard than seen: listen for its incredible, flute-like song. Population is declining; winters in Central America.
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