Moss-backed Tanager
Bangsia edwardsi
Peculiar tanager found in Andean cloud forest in northwestern Ecuador and western Colombia. Plumage is olive with a yellow spot on breast, blue wings, and a distinctive blue and black pattern on the head. Sexes look alike, but younger birds show little or no yellow on the breast. Found in middle to upper forest levels, and may perch in one place for long periods. Sometimes joins mixed-species flocks, and visits feeders in at least one area.
Identification
The moss-backed tanager (Bangsia edwardsi) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador. It is a chunky, large-headed tanager with moss-green upperparts, dark blue-tinged dark green wings, olive green underparts, a bright golden yellow patch on the chest, and black head with shining blue sides. It is endemic to the Western Andes of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador, where it inhabits dense, humid Pacific slope forests. It feeds on insects and fruit. It is classified as being of least concern on the IUCN Red List due to its sufficiently large range and population.
Taxonomy
Genus: Bangsia; Family: Thraupidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Bangsia edwardsi
- Authority
- (Elliot, DG, 1865)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Bangsia
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Audubon's Oriole
Icterus graduacauda
Entirely yellow body with greenish back and black hood. Young birds slightly paler than adults; they develop black hood within a couple months of hatching. Tends to be more secretive than other orioles. A Mexican species with limited U.S. range. Most similar to Scott's Oriole but note greenish, not black, back; range does not overlap. Found in wooded habitats with dense brushy undergrowth. Sometimes visits feeders for fruit and seed. Song a slow series of low-pitched whistles.
Black Goshawk
Astur melanoleucus
Large black-and-white goshawk. Most individuals have a white breast, but some have almost completely black underparts. Immatures have dark streaks below, over a white or rusty base color. Found in forest, woodland, thick savanna, and plantations. Calls are a long wail and an agitated scolding series. Dark-breasted birds similar to dark-morph Gabar Goshawk and Ovambo Sparrowhawk but are larger and have yellow legs and base of the bill. Somewhat similar to hawk-eagles, but much longer-tailed and faster in flight.
Dusky Munia
Lonchura fuscans
Entirely dark brown munia; widespread across Borneo’s lowlands and lower-elevation foothills. Frequently encountered in grassland, scrubby or weedy forest edge, and agricultural areas, particularly rice fields. Adult has a bright silver-gray bill and is darkest on the face and throat. Juvenile paler and more mottled, with a dark bill. Often calls while in flight; gives a tittering “chir-r-r-rip!”, as well as high, plaintive peeps and quiet “pip”s and “tsip”s.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.