St. Lucia Thrasher

Ramphocinclus sanctaeluciae

A ground-feeding denizen found locally in wooded ravines and valleys with thick low vegetation. It somewhat resembles both Brown and Gray Tremblers in shape but it has bold white underparts and a dark red eye, which the tremblers lack. Like the tremblers, it tends to droop its wings, but does not often cock its tail. Most commonly heard call a long raspy note, often given in series.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Ramphocinclus sanctaeluciae
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Mimidae
Genus
Ramphocinclus

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Long-billed Tailorbird

Long-billed Tailorbird

Artisornis moreaui

Inconspicuous, apalis-like grayish warbler with a long tail, straight thin bill, and buff-brown forehead. Isolated population in Mozambique, sometimes considered a different species (Njesi Tailorbird), is smaller, darker, and browner on the head. Singles and pairs are very low density, shy and creep slowly through the undergrowth and canopy, especially nearby streams; sometimes joins mixed-species flocks. Song a pleasant sweet bouncing “eeh-yuh, eeh-yuh, eeh-yuh” or strident “peelik-peelik-peelik”, sometimes joined in duet with a dry buzzing “dzit”; call a high-pitched “chhet” like a squeaky dog’s toy. Similar Brown-headed Apalis is shorter-billed than Long-billed Tailorbird and has white tips to the tail.

Brown-headed Honeyeater

Brown-headed Honeyeater

Melithreptus brevirostris

Small honeyeater with brown cap. Primarily gray-brown with olive back and lighter underparts. Eye patch and band leading from the eye to back of the head are cream-colored. Juveniles have pale blue coloration around the eye and a yellow bill. Take care to separate from juvenile White-naped Honeyeater, which lacks the pale half collar around the side of the neck. The plumage of this species varies geographically. Common in eucalypt forests, where it is usually very vocal and active. Forages in small groups.

Indigo Flowerpiercer

Indigo Flowerpiercer

Diglossa indigotica

Small flowerpiercer with restricted range in western Colombia and northwest Ecuador. Entirely ultramarine blue, though can appear dark in poor light. Most distinctive feature is its piercing red eye. Also note the typical flowerpiercer bill: uniquely upswept with a hooked tip. Found in the subtropical zone of the Andes, where singles or pairs forage at all levels of forest and edge, often following mixed-species flocks.

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