Cream-breasted Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus merrilli
A fairly large dove of lowland and low-elevation montane forest. Has green upperparts to the back of the neck, a gray head and chest, a creamy belly, and white under the base of the tail, scalloped green. Note the purple spot across the flight feathers. The race from northern Luzon has a dark red crown. Similar to Black-chinned Fruit-Dove, but Cream-breasted has a narrow chest band and a cream rather than green belly. Song is a drawn-out, deep quavering “brrrrrrr.”
Taxonomy
The cream-breasted fruit dove is one of over 50 species in the genus Ptilinopus. Within the genus, it is most closely allied with the flame-breasted fruit dove.<p>It was formerly placed in the obsolete genus Leucotreron. The species' generic name comes from the Greek ptilon (feather) and pous (foot), while the specific epithet is in honor of Elmer Drew Merrill, an American botanist. Alternative names for the cream-breasted fruit dove include Merrill's fruit dove.
- Scientific name
- Ptilinopus merrilli
- Authority
- (McGregor, 1916)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ptilinopus
Range and habitat
This frugivorous species is found chiefly in primary and selectively logged forest up to 1,300 m in the Sierra Madre.<p>This bird is listed as near-threatened with its primary threats being habitat loss and hunting for both food and the pet trade.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Colombian Chachalaca
Ortalis columbiana
Large chickenlike bird. Restricted to central Colombia; the only chachalaca in its limited range. Plain brown with scaly neck and breast, bare red skin on throat, and rufous outer tail feathers. Sexes similar. Found in forested habitats, including open woodlands and scrubby edges. Usually in small family groups or pairs. Listen for raucous calls, similar to other chachalacas.
Littoral Rock-Thrush
Monticola imerina
Chunky, mid-sized robin-like bird. Males are pale gray and orange, while females are gray-brown. Madagascar endemic that is found in coastal spiny forest and scrub in the southwest. Perches up conspicuously. Song is a variable mix of thin whistles and raspy notes. Paler than Forest Rock-Thrush, with little or no overlap in range. Female similar to female Madagascar Magpie-Robin, but smaller and grayer, without white patch in the wing.
Chestnut-crowned Gnateater
Conopophaga castaneiceps
Plump, short-tailed bird of Andean cloud forest understory. Male is gray with a chestnut crown and brownish-tinged back. Female is browner with chestnut extending to neck and breast. Both sexes have a partially concealed white plume behind eye that can be lifted when the bird is excited. Usually encountered alone and perched near the ground. Song is a harsh, staccato rattle that rises in pitch.
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