Coal-crested Finch
Charitospiza eucosma
Handsome finch with a spiky crest. Males have a black band from the head to the center of the belly, a silver back, and brown-yellow underparts. Female lacks the black band. Occurs in savanna with shrubby areas and scattered trees, and also in caatinga habitat. Mostly forages on the ground, but also can be seen in low trees and bushes.
Taxonomy
The coal-crested finch was formally described in 1905 by the American ornithologist Harry C. Oberholser. He introduced a new genus Charitospiza and coined the binomial name Charitospiza eucosma. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek kharis meaning "grace" or "beauty" and spiza meaning "finch". The specific epithet is from the Ancient Greek eukosmos meaning "decorous" or "well-adorned". The type locality is the state of Bahia in Brazil, near the border with Minas Gerais. The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.
- Scientific name
- Charitospiza eucosma
- Authority
- Oberholser, 1905
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Charitospiza
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Crested Ant-Tanager
Driophlox cristata
Unmistakable; dull red tanager with grayer flanks and obvious bright red crest. Sexes similar; males have longer crest. Found in pairs or small flocks in the understory, often in dense thickets or vine tangles. Sometimes follows mixed-species flocks. Uncommon in foothills in western Colombia.
White-bearded Hermit
Phaethornis hispidus
Large gray and green hermit of understory rainforest. Gray below, green above with gray rump and white long central tail feathers. Fairly long, slightly downcurved bill, and prominent white throat and moustache. Sexes similar. Similar to Great-billed Hermit, which is more tawny brown overall (not gray), and has a red or orange lower mandible (not yellow). Found in a variety of lowland rainforest habitats; most common around forest edges, along rivers, and around heliconias.
Javan Fulvetta
Alcippe pyrrhoptera
Unremarkable-looking warm brown songbird. Endemic to Java’s montane and submontane broadleaf forests, where it is a common member of mixed flocks. Note warm rusty-toned wings and tail, long-tailed and round-headed profile, and slender dark line above the eye (sometimes inconspicuous). Song is a sad-sounding series of whistles. Calls include a fast rattling call, as well as a high-pitched, tinkling “ji’jink.”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.