Gray-collared Becard
Pachyramphus major
Scarce bird of tropical forest and woodland, from lowlands to highlands. Usually seen as singles or pairs at middle to upper levels, especially at fruiting trees; often travels with mixed-species feeding flocks of tanagers, orioles, warblers, etc. Tends to perch rather upright and quietly, easily overlooked. Male striking: gray, black, and white; no similar species in Mexico. Female is smaller than female Rose-throated Becard, with short pale eyebrow, contrasting wing and tail patterns (note graduated tail feathers). West Mexican female has rusty cap; elsewhere cap is blackish.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pachyramphus major
- Authority
- (Cabanis, 1847)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tityridae
- Genus
- Pachyramphus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Tibetan Snowfinch
Montifringilla henrici
Small brown finch of open highland steppes on the Tibetan plateau. Male has short but prominent black mustache and a dark bill. Female lacks the mustache, but has an orange bill and a pale white eyebrow stripe faintly resembling that of female and immature House Sparrows. Flashing white wing patches are only prominent when in flight. Confusingly, the Black-winged Snowfinch (Montifringilla adamsi) is occasionally referred to as the Tibetan Snowfinch in older field guides.
Gray Honeyeater
Conopophila whitei
Small plain desert honeyeater of inland Western and central Australia that is seldom observed. Relatively short, decurved bill and extremely plain plumage, gray above, paler gray below, with no obvious field marks other than faint pale tips to some tail feathers. Compare Western Gerygone, which has thinner bill and slight eyebrow. Usually seen singly or in pairs. Call is very distinctive and squeaky, a perky three-note "widdle-dit."
Sumatran Wren-Babbler
Napothera albostriata
With its long curved bill, this uncommon Sumatran mountain forest endemic is unique within its limited range. Forages alone or in pairs, often in dense undergrowth where it can be difficult to see; listen for its song, a well-spaced series of even, clipped whistles that sound like they should be coming from a small owl. If lucky enough to catch a glimpse, look for a streaky dark brown body, very short tail, and bright white throat.
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