Bassian Thrush

Zoothera lunulata

Large thrush, greenish brown with black scallop marks above, pale with black scaly marks below. Smaller Russet-tailed Thrush has larger-appearing bill, is less strongly marked above. Bassian lacks white in tail corners, usually visible in flying or preening Russet-tailed. The smaller wingbar has less prominent pale tips in adult Bassian. Introduced Song Thrush has spots rather than scaly marks below. Inhabits wet forests, where it forages in leaf litter. Song recalls that of Common Blackbird, very different from Russet-tailed song.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Zoothera lunulata
Authority
(Latham, 1801)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Turdidae
Genus
Zoothera

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Chilean Pigeon

Chilean Pigeon

Patagioenas araucana

Only large native pigeon in its range. Locally fairly common in temperate rainforest, farmland with wooded patches, and matorral with taller trees. Feeds from treetops to ground, sometimes in roadside fields; often in flocks. Plumage dark overall with narrow white hindneck collar, bright red feet, and broad pale gray tip on tail. Compare with the variable Rock Pigeon, which is usually around people and most have white underwings in flight unlike the dark grayish underwings on Chilean Pigeon.

Red-crested Cotinga

Red-crested Cotinga

Ampelion rubrocristatus

This plump gray bird is a regular sight atop patches of trees from the temperate forest zone to above treeline in the Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia. The plumage is unremarkable at first glance: both sexes are medium gray with a darker face, blackish wings, and a white band on the tail (visible in flight). The namesake red crest is usually laid flat down the nape, but is occasionally raised into a spectacular splayed bouquet of feathers. Singles or pairs are usually seen perched conspicuously. Found in forested areas, but does not require high-quality intact forest, and can be found in surprisingly small patches of bushes and trees in agricultural areas.

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon amaurocephalus

Inconspicuous small flycatcher of humid tropical forest and edge. Usually found at middle levels inside forest and also in adjacent clearings where sometimes suspends its nest under the eaves of buildings, including ruins. Mainly sits quietly and fairly upright; at times sallies to pick insects from foliage. Note the grayish face with a dark ear patch, dark brownish (sepia) crown, and buffy wing edgings. Call is a stuttering froglike trill, given infrequently.

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