Brown-capped Weaver
Ploceus insignis
Unusual and attractive black-and-yellow weaver. Males show a brown cap and females a black one. Both sexes have a yellow patch on the back. Found in montane forest, usually in pairs or small groups, which often join mixed-species feeding flocks. Feeds by creeping along larger tree limbs like a nuthatch. Not very vocal, but vocalizations are typical of weavers: “chit” notes and a sizzling, “radio static” song. Similar to Preuss’s and Yellow-capped Weavers, but male is separated by its brown cap, and female by its all-black head.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ploceus insignis
- Authority
- (Sharpe, 1891)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Ploceus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Tinian Monarch
Monarcha takatsukasae
Mostly rusty-red below and around the face, with a gray cap and a brownish back. Tail black with white tips, and wings have clear white double wingbars. Undertail white. Found in any forested habitat and dense scrub. Song is a short whistled “tee-tee-wheeeooo.” Common calls include mostly low rasping and scolding.
Island Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma insularis
The largest and darkest scrub-jay, identifiable solely based on range: found exclusively on Santa Cruz Island off southern California. Similar to California Scrub-Jay but larger, with darker back and darker mask. Inhabits scrubby woodland habitat, often on or near the ground. Typically found in small family groups.
White-throated Caracara
Daptrius albogularis
Uncommon in southern Andes; range does not overlap with Mountain Caracara. Favors open habitats above treeline, but also ranges lower to scavenge at dumps and in farmland with open trees. Often associates with Chimango and Crested Caracaras at the dump outside Ushuaia, Argentina. Sails, soars, and tumbles easily on updrafts. Adult is handsome and strikingly patterned black-and-white with creamy white underparts and a bold white tail tip. Juvenile is rather similar to smaller Chimango Caracara, but distinguished by black (not pale) bill.
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