Black-lored Cisticola
Cisticola nigriloris
Large, relatively colorful montane cisticola. Note the rufous cap and back of the neck, black patch between the bill and the eye, and the pale and black bands at the tip of the tail. Found in open montane habitats with thick herbaceous undergrowth, including forest edge, marsh, moist grassland, and heath. Almost always in pairs or small groups. The unmistakable song is given in chorus: a frantic up-and-down series of “squeaky wheel” notes. As with other cisticolas, habitat and vocalizations are important to identification. Fairly similar to Trilling and Singing Cisticolas, but has black lores.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Cisticola nigriloris
- Authority
- Shelley, 1897
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Genus
- Cisticola
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Small hummingbird with a rather large range across northeastern South America and eastern Panama. Male is unmistakable with a golden throat, a ruby-red crown, and an orange tail with dark tips. Female is trickier to identify, but note the pale gray underparts, white-tipped tail feathers, and dull grayish green upperparts. The short and slightly decurved bill should also help identify the female. Fairly common in open habitats, including savannah, forest edge, and gardens.
Northern Hawk-Cuckoo
Hierococcyx hyperythrus
A large, elusive cuckoo of lowland woodlands; plumages of both adults and juveniles mimic plumages of sparrowhawks. Adult gray above and pale below, with light orange suffusion on breast and sides; strikingly similar in plumage to Japanese and Chinese sparrowhawks, but has a much thinner bill (bicolored in adults) and a more lithe and smaller-headed profile. Juvenile brown above and white below, with heavily streaked underparts. Song a feverish, rapidly accelerating "chu-witchy-chu-witchy!”
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Regulus satrapa
Tiny, hyperactive songbird usually found in conifer trees. Look for black stripes on the head and bold wing pattern. The namesake golden crown is usually just a small stripe, but can be flared into an expressive fiery-orange crest when agitated. Breeds in coniferous forests, usually staying high in trees. In migration and winter, often joins mixed flocks of other songbirds in a wider variety of wooded habitats. Very active; often hovers and flicks wings as it forages. Listen for extremely high-pitched call notes.
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