Black-crowned Scimitar-Babbler
Pomatorhinus ferruginosus
A large and vocal babbler of montane rainforest and shrubby edges. Note warm russet-brown body with bright rufous chest, white throat, white-bordered black mask, and a bright red bill. Forages actively in the dense midstorey, sometimes in mixed species flocks, and can be difficult to see well. Somewhat similar to Red-billed Scimitar-Babbler, but note Coral-billed’s deeper red, sturdier bill and rufous chest. Often gives harsh grating or excited chattering calls as well as soft, oriole-like notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pomatorhinus ferruginosus
- Authority
- Blyth, 1845
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Timaliidae
- Genus
- Pomatorhinus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Lark Sparrow
Chondestes grammacus
Large and boldly patterned sparrow. Look for unique black, white, and rufous face pattern, brighter on adults and duller on immatures. Favors open areas with scattered trees when breeding; often forms flocks in brushy areas in winter. Usually feeds on the ground and flies up into trees when disturbed. In flight, notice long tail with broad white corners.
Ecuadorian Tyrannulet
Phylloscartes gualaquizae
Small, warbler-like flycatcher found in cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes in Ecuador, northern Peru, and southern Colombia. Plumage is yellow-olive with a gray crown, yellowish wingbars, white eyebrow, and black stripe through the eye. Facial pattern is not well-defined, imparting a “messy” look. Also note thin, black bill. Forages actively in the forest canopy, frequently giving a dry, sputtering trill, and is almost always encountered with mixed-species flocks.
Rufous-crested Coquette
Lophornis delattrei
Tiny hummingbird; male is striking with fabulous spiky orange crest, each feather tipped in black. Otherwise greenish with dark throat and conspicuous white band across rump. Female much less obvious; look for very small size, rufous forehead and throat, and white band across rump. Range usually helps to eliminate other similar species of coquette; note especially similarity to Spangled Coquette. Found more often in edges than other coquettes, especially brushy clearings or roadsides with flowering bushes.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.