Hellmayr's Pipit
Anthus hellmayri
Uncommon pipit found in grasslands, dry rocky areas, and less frequently in low intensity agricultural habitats. It has a heavily streaked back with a white throat and pale belly. Note the lightly streaked breast and flanks. Similar to Short-billed Pipit, but lacks the white mustache and has streaky flanks. Sings a series of buzzy nasal notes perched or in flight.
Identification
Hellmayr's pipit is a medium-sized brown bird weighing 18.6g. It has pink legs and a light pink bill. Its back is boldly streaked and its breast and flanks are only faintly streaked. It can be confused with the similar-looking Short-billed pipit but its throat is white instead of streaked and it lacks the white submoustachial stripe. Eggs are oval in shape and white with brown speckles.
Taxonomy
Hellmayr's pipit was described by Ernst Hartert in 1909 who placed it in the genus Anthus. The bird is named after Austrian ornithologist, Carl Eduard Hellmayr. There are currently three recognized species:
- Scientific name
- Anthus hellmayri
- Authority
- Hartert, EJO, 1909
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Genus
- Anthus
Range and habitat
Hellmayr's pipit is found in three disjunct populations across the southern half of South America. It is found in the Andes from southern Peru, through Bolivia into northwestern Argentina, as well as in the Andes of southern Argentina and Chila. The eastern population (A. h. brasilianus) ranges from Espinhaço Range in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais and Bahia, south down into Uruguay and eastern Argentina, and west into the chaco of Paraguay. It occurs from sea level to 3,700 meters.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
It is year round in most of its range, with its breeding season being in the rainy season from September to April. Males are known to perform aerial displays for females during breeding season. The population in Chile and southern Argentina (A. h. dabbenei) is known to be migratory. They are mainly insectivores. Nests are cup-shaped with a grass dome built over top of it being roofed with dry stems. Nests are built on the ground in grass mounds. They have a maximum clutch size of five eggs. Both parents participate in the feeding of the fledglings.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Buff-tailed Sicklebill
Eutoxeres condamini
Heavily-streaked hummingbird with an amazing hooklike bill. It ranges in humid foothill forest along the east slope of the Andes, where it overlaps widely with the similar White-tipped Sicklebill. Both species have white tips to the tail, but note Buff-tailed’s buffy edges on the tail feathers and glittering blue or green patches on the sides of the neck. Feeds primarily on “lobster claw” Heliconia flowers and is rarely encountered away from them. Song is an extended, rollicking series of soft chirps given from a concealed perch. Not known to visit feeders.
Ruddy Tody-Flycatcher
Poecilotriccus russatus
A small, charismatic bird of tepui highland forests. Note orange-rufous face and breast, short tail, and bold wing bars. Found only at higher elevations (above 1000 meters) in understory of humid forest with lush growth of mosses and epiphytes; usually in pairs that may join mixed-species flocks but are often found away from them. Forages deliberately, making short flights between perches and peering about for insect prey. Voice is a hollow, rolling purr, descending in pitch and usually preceded by one or two short notes; it is given intermittently and often in duet by a pair. A distinctive bird and unlikely to be confused with other species in its limited range.
Soft-plumaged Petrel
Pterodroma mollis
Attractive petrel with a black mask, largely gray above and white below, with a diagnostic dark breast band. Note the heavy dark bill. In flight, exhibits gray underwings and gray and dark brown M-pattern on the back. The rare dark morph has dark underparts, but still retains the distinctive complete breast band, which is the most useful mark separating this species from Fea’s and Zino’s Petrels. Usually encountered well offshore, in towering roller-coaster flights; sometimes follows boats.
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