Gray-cheeked Nunlet
Nonnula frontalis
Rare and unobtrusive in forests and woodlands, typically with dense understory. Distinctive within limited range. Rather plump with large, slightly decurved bill. Brownish overall with warmer rufous crown, gray cheek, and tawny throat. Also note pinkish eyering. Sexes similar. Perches stolidly in the lower to middle levels; typically singly or in pairs.
Identification
The grey-cheeked nunlet is 14 to 15 cm (5.5 to 5.9 in) long and weighs 14.5 to 19.5 g (0.51 to 0.69 oz). The nominate subspecies has a very dark chestnut crown and plain brown upperparts, lighter on the rump. Most of the face is gray with a ring of bare red skin around the dark brown eye. The tail is dark brown and almost black near the tip. The chin, throat, breast, and flanks are rufous and the belly is buffy. The bill is mostly blue-gray and the feet dull brown or greenish gray. N. f. stulta has a very dark crown and its tail is blacker and rump drabber than those of the nominate. N. f. pallescens has much paler upperparts than the nominate and its throat and breast are buff.
Taxonomy
The grey-cheeked nunlet was first described by P.L. Sclater in 1854 in Colombia. Three subspecies are generally recognized, the nominate N. f. frontalis, N. f. stulta, and N. f. pallescens. The nominate has been suggested to constitute more than one taxon based on differences in coloration observed in specimens. N. f. pallescens has occasionally been suggested to be a subspecies of the rufous-capped nunlet (N. ruficapilla) of southern Amazonia. The grey-cheeked nunlet forms a superspecies with the rufous-capped nunlet and the chestnut-headed nunlet (N. amaurocephala), which is restricted to a small area in northwest Brazil. It has been suggested to be conspecific with the rufous-capped nunlet and also with the brown nunlet (N. brunnea).
- Scientific name
- Nonnula frontalis
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1854)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Bucconidae
- Genus
- Nonnula
Range and habitat
The grey-cheeked nunlet has a somewhat restricted range that extends from central Panama to north-central Colombia. N. f. stulta is the northernmost subspecies; it is found from central Panama into extreme northwestern Colombia. N. f. pallescens is found in the Caribbean lowlands of northern Colombia. The nominate subspecies is found in the interior of northern Colombia. The species inhabits a variety of landscapes including moist to humid primary and secondary forest, gallery forest, and thickets; it especially favors woodlands along rivers. it usually inhabits the lower levels of the forest but can be found up to the subcanopy. In elevation it ranges from sea level to 1,000 m (3,300 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The grey-cheeked nunlet's feeding behavior has not been documented, though it has been observed taking a variety of arthropod prey. It sometimes joins mixed-species foraging flocks.<p>The grey-cheeked nunlet breeds from February to June in Colombia but little else is known about its breeding phenology. The nesting behavior of the entire genus Nonnula is poorly understood, but the rusty-breasted nunlet (N. rubecula) nests in a shallow scrape that it covers with twigs and leaves. That species' clutch size is usually four eggs.<p>The grey-cheeked nunlet's song is a "plaintive, measured series of up to 20 notes, 'weeip weeip, weeip...'."
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Microcarbo niger
An all black ducklike waterbird with a distinctive flattish head and a bill that is sharply hooked at the tip. Smallest of the cormorants found in the region. Breeding adults have white plumes on the sides of the head. Like all cormorants, frequently seen swimming with its body low in the water, head and neck pointing upward, and suddenly disappearing underwater to catch fish. Often perches upright on a rock, drying itself with outstretched wings. Seen singly or in small groups in inland water bodies. Similar to Indian Cormorant, but note smaller size, stouter bill, and shape of the head, flat on Little Cormorant and rounded on Indian Cormorant.
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Thamnophilus sticturus
Small antshrike. Males are mostly gray, with a black crown and white-spotted black wings and tail. Females are mostly rusty-colored, with whitish underparts. Note the pale eyes, which help to differentiate this species from similar slaty-antshrikes. Found in semideciduous forests with dense vine tangles and adjacent second growth. Forages from the understory to middle levels and apparently does not accompany mixed-species flocks. The song is a series of nasal notes ending with a rattle.
Pale-footed Swallow
Orochelidon flavipes
Uncommon swallow in montane forest in the Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia. Similar to the more common Blue-and-white Swallow, but look for the buffy throat and browner flanks on Pale-footed Swallow. Found in flocks, usually not far from forest. Not frequently found around human settlements unlike Blue-and-white Swallow. Occurs from around 2,400–3,200 m.
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