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
Mikado Pheasant
Syrmaticus mikado
A stunning pheasant species endemic to Taiwan, the male a rich slaty blue with white markings and red facial skin, the female rich brown with extensive pale feather edges. Generally retiring, foraging quietly in the undergrowth of montane forests, but occasionally seen in the open, particularly in places where fed. Usually seen singly, in pairs, or in small family units (female with young). In breeding season, males drum with wings and give shrill whistling calls. Male lacks white back and tail of Swinhoe’s Pheasant; female has dark bill, grayish legs, pale markings below, and graduated, pointy tail, unlike female Swinhoe’s.
Bamboo Warbler
Locustella alfredi
Mid-sized warbler with a long tail. Dark brown overall, with a white throat and pale eye-line. Found very locally in middle-elevation habitats with a dense ground cover, including bamboo, forest, marsh, and lush grassy areas. Rare species that is not often seen. Most likely to be detected and identified by its distinctive song: a ratcheting up-and-down “dee-ka dee-ka dee-ka…” series which can last for several seconds. Very similar to Evergreen-forest Warbler, and best distinguished by its different song.
Principe Seedeater
Crithagra rufobrunnea
An incredibly dowdy small seedeater with a pink-horn bill and a pale throat. On São Tomé its color is gray-brown and on Príncipe more buffy-cinnamon. On São Tomé it is a common resident in most habitats from primary forest to suburban gardens up to 1500 meters of elevation; on Príncipe it is uncommon and more restricted to forest. Song is variable, but mostly a strident, rapidly delivered series of high-pitched notes “tseet-teet-teet-teet-tseeu-tseeu-tseeu” or similar; call is a slurred “tshweet.” The much larger Sao Tome Grosbeak is chestnut in color and rare in remote forest on São Tomé; Yellow-fronted Canary is much brighter.
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