Cinnamon-bellied Saltator

Saltator grandis

Fairly common, but often retiring, in tropical lowlands of both drier and more humid areas. Favors forest edge, second growth thickets, hedges, and tangles, especially with morning glory flowers, which it munches quietly. Told from other saltators in Mexico and Central America by the grayish (not golden-green) upperparts, bolder white eyebrow, and plain breast. Immature looks slightly different, with a yellowish wash to the face and upperparts. Listen for sweet song with long slurred whistles.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Saltator grandis
Authority
(Deppe, 1830)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thraupidae
Genus
Saltator

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Rufous-winged Sparrow

Rufous-winged Sparrow

Peucaea carpalis

Subtly marked sparrow with a poor name; "rufous wing" is restricted to a tiny, barely visible patch on the shoulder. Gray head and neck with peaked rufous crown and rufous eyeline. Stout pink bill. Sides are buff and unstreaked on adults. Back and wings are also buffy with fine markings. Paler throat is edged with thin dark lines. Primarily a Mexican species with very limited range in the U.S.; found in pairs or small flocks in brushy grasslands. Variable song usually composed of a few clear tinkling notes and trills.

Jackson's Spurfowl

Jackson's Spurfowl

Pternistis jacksoni

Large, chunky brown francolin with a red bill, red legs, and bare red skin around the eye. Found in montane forest, forest edge, moorland, and grassland. Often in pairs or small groups that are often quite approachable. The common vocalization is a series of loud, rough “skraa” notes. Similar to Scaly Francolin, but larger and richer brown, with red bare skin around the eye. 

Choco Manakin

Choco Manakin

Cryptopipo litae

Quiet and inconspicuous denizen of lowland and foothill rainforest in eastern Panama, western Colombia, and northwestern Ecuador. One of the dullest of all manakins; both sexes have nearly uniform olive plumage with a slightly brighter yellow belly. Some birds show a faint, pale eyering. Distinguished from females of other manakin species by its longer tail as well as its grayish legs and bill. Rarely vocalizes, but sometimes gives short, descending whistles or a series of rapid, sputtering trills. Formerly considered a subspecies group of Green Manakin.

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