Drab Seedeater

Sporophila simplex

Well-named seedeater found in arid scrub and adjacent farmland in western Peru and southwestern Ecuador. Its best field marks are the distinct wingbars and bill color (pinkish on breeding males, nearly black on other individuals). Bill is smaller and less bulbous than that of Parrot-billed Seedeater. Sometimes found alone, but loose flocks may converge on areas with abundant food, such as fields of seeding grass. Males often sing a short series of buzzy notes.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Sporophila simplex
Authority
(Taczanowski, 1874)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thraupidae
Genus
Sporophila

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
rising

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Crimson Chat

Crimson Chat

Epthianura tricolor

Brightly colored, terrestrial songbird of arid inland Australia. Breeding male has crimson crown and belly, gray back, black mask, white throat, pale eye, and blackish wings with narrow pale wingbars. Nonbreeding male more muted, with only hints of crimson. Female similar to nonbreeding male but paler around the face. Usually seen in small groups hopping along the ground in open areas.

Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus

Smaller than Red-tailed Hawk. Adults are beautiful with rich orange barring below and bold black-and-white checkerboard patterning on wings. Often in forested areas, where they hunt from perches. Perches on wires more frequently than Red-tailed Hawk. In flight, wings seem narrow and pushed forward compared to Red-tailed or Broad-winged Hawk; also note relatively long tail. Population in California is more richly colored (darker orange) than paler Eastern birds; while Florida birds are paler with gray head and back.

Scarlet Minivet

Scarlet Minivet

Pericrocotus speciosus

Brilliantly-colored forest bird, typically encountered in flocks. Coloration varies significantly throughout wide distribution, with males ranging from black-and-crimson (most of mainland Asia) to black-and-yellow (southern Philippines) and black-and-orange (Java and Bali). Females are predominantly gray-and-yellow, but southern Philippine and western Indonesian birds are black-and-yellow. In all subspecies, note colored “blotches” on the wings (other minivets have cleaner wing patterns) and female’s yellow forehead. Gives high whistled “wheeep” notes, often when flying over the treetops. 

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