Flame-rumped Tanager

Ramphocelus flammigerus

Fairly large tanager found in open habitats in lowlands and foothills below 1,500 m. Male is all black with contrasting rump varying from lemon yellow to red. Female is dark blackish-brown above and yellow below, sometimes with an orange breast band. She also has a contrasting rump varying from lemon yellow to red. On both sexes, note stout silver bill with dark tip. Common and conspicuous in clearings, gardens, shrubby areas, and second growth, usually in pairs or small groups.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Ramphocelus flammigerus
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thraupidae
Genus
Ramphocelus

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Oriental Bay-Owl

Oriental Bay-Owl

Phodilus badius

Small owl with a distinctive, highly angular head. Dark chestnut above and pale creamy gray below with light spotting on the sides. Dark eyes are emphasized by the general paleness of the face and the vertical dark ridges above them which form into small rounded tufts. Typically stands quite upright, giving it a heavy-headed appearance. Small and often difficult to find but can be common in a wide range of habitats, including evergreen forests and mangroves. Vocalizations are variable, and include rasps, screams, inflected gulping hoots, and a high-pitched mellow whistled song with the first few notes downslurred and the last few notes upslurred, which can be likened to “hii-huu-huu-huwee-huwee-huwee”. 

Gilded Flicker

Gilded Flicker

Colaptes chrysoides

Large woodpecker, very similar to Northern Flicker. Overall pale sandy brown with gray face and brown crown. Spotted below with black oval on chest. Underwing and shafts of flight feathers bright yellow. Males have red mustache stripe; sexes otherwise alike. Combination of face pattern and yellow in wings helps distinguish from both "Red-shafted" and "Yellow-shafted" Northern Flickers. Shows a strong affinity for saguaro cactus but also found in nearby woodland. Gives a piercing "kleer" call similar to Northern Flicker.

Rusty-margined Flycatcher

Rusty-margined Flycatcher

Myiozetetes cayanensis

One of several medium-sized, kiskadee-like flycatchers that are bright yellow below, with bold black-and-white head pattern. Rusty-margined is one of the smaller ones, with a smaller bill than Great Kiskadee. Most similar to Social and White-ringed Flycatchers; look for combination of black cheek (not gray) and especially obvious rufous in the wings. Shorter bill than White-ringed. Voice is helpful: listen for lazy-sounding, slightly burry “wheeer” call. Found in a variety of open wooded habitats such as forest edge and second growth, often around water.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.