Indian Nuthatch
Sitta castanea
Only nuthatch in most of its range with gray upperparts and brick-red underparts. From crown to upper mantle, the gray is a lighter shade than the remainder of the upperparts. Strong dark eye-stripe starts from the bill, broadening toward the sides of the neck, contrasting with the white throat. Female is similar but has lighter chestnut underparts and dirty white on the throat. In a narrow zone where it overlaps with the very similar Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Indian differs in the contrastingly paler crown and nape, the smaller bill, and the lack of white scallops on the vent. Primarily seen in deciduous forests; occurs in pairs or family groups, sometimes along with Velvet-fronted Nuthatches, with which it broadly overlaps in range. Call is a loud, mellow, rapid trill of 7-8 notes: “pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi.”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Sitta castanea
- Authority
- Lesson, RP, 1830
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sittidae
- Genus
- Sitta
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Chunga burmeisteri
Tall terrestrial predator of the Chaco region. Plumage distinctively shaggy. Prefers dense, spiny vegetation, often with thick undergrowth, but can occur in nearby open areas. Smaller and shyer than Red-legged Seriema. Despite its large size, can be difficult to see, and is more often detected by its loud, far-carrying song.
Puff-backed Bulbul
Microtarsus eutilotus
Brown bulbul with a sparse, wispy crest. Darker above and paler below. Grayish face, thick black bill, and plain coloration make this a readily identifiable species, albeit an unremarkable one. Gives a sweet, quiet warble: “chee-wee’li’li’wee”. Primarily a lowland species, but ascends into hill forest in some areas. Found in mature forest, forest edges, and tall secondary growth. Often joins other species in mixed flocks, usually at mid-level.
Grassland Yellow-Finch
Sicalis luteola
Small yellowish bird, very local in tropical savannas and open grassland with scattered bushes and palmetto shrubs. Usually in groups, sometimes in fairly big flocks. Feeds mainly in grasses, eating seeds, and comes to drink at small pools; often perches on roadside fences. Note the rather stubby gray bill, yellow face and underparts, and streaked back. There are no especially similar species in Mexico and Central America, but several in South America.
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