White-crested Tyrannulet
Serpophaga subcristata
Small, grayish flycatcher with a thin, white eyebrow and buffy wingbars. Plumage is variable throughout its range; belly can be white or pale yellow, and back can be gray or olive. Its crest is sometimes raised showing a white stripe on the crown, and other times it is laid flat with the stripe hidden, giving it a round-headed appearance. Very similar to Straneck’s Tyrannulet; white crown stripe (if seen) can help separate them, but voice is often the only reliable method in areas of overlap. Some vocalizations include a quick burst of dry chips, a sharp “pip, wi-di-dit”, and longer series of chirps and rattles. Prefers open habitats such as scrub, overgrown clearings, and woodland edge; not found inside mature forest. Migratory in parts of its range. Pale-bellied birds used to be considered a separate species, White-bellied Tyrannulet.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Serpophaga subcristata
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1817)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Serpophaga
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Aplomado Falcon
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This long-winged, long-tailed falcon is widespread through Central and South America. Once common in dry grasslands of the U.S., this species is now being reintroduced into areas of south Texas. Adults are gray above with black-and-white face pattern, white breast, black band across mid-belly, and orange lower belly. Long, dark tail has thin white bands. Immatures similar to adults but have streaked breast and paler lower belly. Combination of plumage details and shape is distinctive. Hunts for flying insects and birds. Usually seen singly or in pairs.
Plain-winged Antwren
Myrmotherula behni
Small, rare antbird found in lush cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes and in the tepui region of Venezuela, Guyana, and extreme northern Brazil. Male is dark gray with black throat and breast; extent of black is geographically variable. Female is brown with a pale throat. Similar to Slaty Antwren but lacks wing markings. Inhabits forest understory, where often encountered with mixed-species flocks. Song is a series of four to ten soft whistles.
White-tipped Plantcutter
Phytotoma rutila
Medium-sized, distinctive cotinga of dry, open woodlands and grasslands, typically in areas dominated by dense undergrowth. Also found in agricultural fields and shrubby areas. Conspicuous and generally easy to detect. Male has grayish head and upperparts, and a beautiful red-orangish coloration in the underparts. The female is mostly brownish, with dense darker streaking. Feeds mainly on foliage, along with flowers and small fruits.
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