Puna Yellow-Finch
Sicalis lutea
Rather local but sometimes numerous in the high Andes. Favors puna grasslands, stony plains with shrubby bushes, villages, and bogs. Often in flocks, sometimes mixed with other species, and feeds mainly on the ground. Both sexes rather uniform bright greenish yellow overall (female averages duller) with a relatively stout, grayish bill. Greenish Yellow-Finch of usually lower elevations is duller (especially the female), with a smaller and more pointed bill. Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch sometimes occurs with Puna, but has grayish cheeks, back, and flanks.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Sicalis lutea
- Authority
- (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Sicalis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-winged Fairywren
Malurus leucopterus
A small bird with a long blue tail that is held cocked. Breeding males are usually brilliant sapphire blue with bright white wing patches. Females and nonbreeding males are very plain pale gray, and the patch between the eye and bill (lores) is also pale (compared to Purple-backed Fairywren which has very dark reddish lores). This species is typically found in very open and arid country with sparse bushes, where it often perches on the very top of bushes. Its call is a very fast trill.
Carp's Tit
Melaniparus carpi
A black tit with a mostly white wing and outer tail. The sexes are similar, but females are slightly duller and browner. Found in arid savanna and mopane woodland. Usually in pairs or small groups, which are loud and conspicuous. Call is a classic tit “chee-chi-chi-chi-chi,” raspy and often repeated. Overlaps very locally with the very similar Southern Black-Tit in northern Namibia. Carp’s Tit can be identified by its all-black rather than white-barred undertail, and by having more white in the wing.
Hartlaub's Duck
Pteronetta hartlaubii
A large, dark chestnut-colored duck found primarily in sheltered fresh and brackish waters in well-wooded areas. In flight, distinctive bright blue upperwings stand out even along shaded creeks and streams. Widespread in the Afrotropical lowlands, but easy to overlook given its habits and habitat. Primary calls consist of hollow “ko-ko-ko” quacking and occasional wheezy whistles.
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