Bush Pipit
Anthus caffer
A small, dumpy pipit lacking a distinct eyebrow. The lack of wingbars and the diffuse streaks on the breast that do not reach the flanks are further distinguishing features. Pairs are furtive in open and lightly wooded savanna with bare patches, particularly where it is grassy or rocky. The scratchy, buzzy vocalizations can only be confused with those of Short-tailed Pipit, which differs from Bush Pipit by having a shorter tail and bill, and by being more heavily streaked on both upperparts and underparts, with streaking reaching the flanks. The Short-tailed Pipit also prefers different habitat: lush grassland in hilly areas and coastal plains.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Anthus caffer
- Authority
- Sundevall, 1850
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Genus
- Anthus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Dark Pewee
Contopus lugubris
The only all-dark crested flycatcher in range. Entirely sooty-gray, only slightly paler on throat and belly. More obvious crest than other pewees. Sexes alike. Usually seen singly, perched conspicuously at the forest edge or in a clearing. Listen for “pip” call notes.
Allpahuayo Antbird
Percnostola arenarum
Scarce antbird described to science in 2001. It is found in lowland rainforest in northeastern Peru, only in areas with white, sandy soil. Male is gray with a black throat and white wingbars. Female has gray upperparts with tawny underparts and wingbars. Very similar to Black-headed Antbird, and best identified by voice, range, and habitat. Inhabits dense understory, often in areas with lots of palm saplings. Song is a fairly rapid series of ringing notes, higher-pitched and faster than the song of Black-headed Antbird.
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
The largest nuthatch in North America, with distinctive white face, black cap, and blue-gray upperparts. Also note rusty lower belly and undertail coverts. Females have a slightly paler crown than males. Fairly common and widespread, usually in mature woodlands with large trees. Creeps along tree trunks and branches, often upside-down. Sometimes joins mixed flocks with other songbirds. Visits feeders. Listen for insistent yammering calls. Some subtle variation across range, mainly in the darkness of the sides and back, width of the black crown, and vocalizations.
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