Plumbeous Sierra Finch
Geospizopsis unicolor
This common finch is found in open areas in the Andes from Venezuela to southernmost Argentina. Males are uniform bluish-gray with no distinct markings. Females in the northern part of its range are brown and streaky all over; in the south, females are grayer with fainter streaking. Both sexes have dull pinkish legs. Look for small flocks foraging on the ground in grasslands and open rocky areas, usually at elevations above 3,000 m, but descends much lower in southern South America. Sometimes mixes with other finches.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Geospizopsis unicolor
- Authority
- (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Geospizopsis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Andaman Nightjar
Caprimulgus andamanicus
A dark, medium-sized nightjar with a somewhat long tail and wings. The crown and back are markedly paler gray, and the white throat patch can sometimes be hidden. In flight, note the white patch on the outermost flight feathers. Found in open woodland, forest clearings, and mangroves. The song consists of 4-5 loud, hard notes delivered in a level series: “chowk-chowk-chowk-...”.
Ruby-crowned Tanager
Tachyphonus coronatus
Medium-sized tanager found in the middle to upper levels of forest edges, light woodlands, plantations, and urban parks; sometimes visits feeding stations. Males are glossy black with a concealed red crown and a white spot on the shoulder. In flight, shows white underwings. Females have a gray-brown head and are otherwise mostly cinnamon colored, paler below than above.
Kai Monarch
Symposiachrus leucurus
A distinctive, heavy-billed black-and-white flycatcher-like songbird from the Kai Islands. Adult entirely black except for white lower chest and belly and white outer tail feathers. Juvenile gray-brown above and buffy below. Singles and pairs inhabit mangrove, forest, forest edge, and woodland in lowlands and low hills. Joins mixed-species flocks. Unmistakable in its limited range. Song is a single disyllabic whistle, “see-ooo,” descending in the latter half. Calls include a rasping, scolding “grrr-grrr-grrr…” and a weak, wavering chatter.
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