Grand Munia
Lonchura grandis
A fairly small bird of grasslands and swamps from the lowlands to mid-mountains. Large for a munia. Black head and underparts, rufous back and sides blending to yellow tail. Note the large silver-blue bill. Juvenile all brown but still with a large bill. Distinguished from other co-occuring munia species by its larger size and much thicker bill. Call, sharp, metallic “tink” notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lonchura grandis
- Authority
- (Sharpe, 1882)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Lonchura
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Red-billed Tyrannulet
Zimmerius cinereicapilla
Small and rather scarce flycatcher found in disturbed forest on the east slope of the Andes. Yellowish-olive with a gray head and pale throat. Combination of stubby, reddish bill, pale iris, and yellow edges to wing feathers that do not form distinct wingbars help separate it from other small flycatchers. Overlaps with the very similar Mishana Tyrannulet in northern Peru, but Red-billed has a gray (not olive) crown and a different voice. Calls include soft whistles and squeaks, given alone or in a quick series. Typically seen perched high in a tree in a clearing or at forest edge.
Short-toed Treecreeper
Certhia brachydactyla
Difficult to separate from Eurasian Treecreeper: note slightly longer bill, shorter hind claw, browner flanks, and even steps on the wingbar. In the field best separated by voice, a penetrating "tut." Where it overlaps in range with Eurasian Treecreeper tends to be found in more deciduous woodlands at lower altitudes and in farmlands and parks.
Emerald Tanager
Tangara florida
Well-named tanager, mostly emerald-green with trapezoidal black cheek patch, back streaking and wing markings. Small and active, usually found in pairs following mixed feeding flocks in foothill forests and edges. Feeds on fruit. Sexes alike.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.