Northern Slaty Brushfinch
Atlapetes schistaceus
Mostly gray brushfinch found from Venezuela to Ecuador. Bold head pattern with rufous crown, white throat, and black mustache stripe. Note also small white patch at base of primaries. A high elevation species, occurring in scrubby habitats from around 2,500-3,400m. Pairs usually forage at lower levels, sometimes accompanying a mixed-species flock. Relatively simple song usually heard only at dawn. More often heard is the complex descending chatter given as two birds approach each other.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Atlapetes schistaceus
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Genus
- Atlapetes
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
New Zealand Bellbird
Anthornis melanura
A medium-sized nectar feeder endemic to New Zealand. Note yellowish-green plumage, blackish wings and tail, and red eyes. Male has purple tints on his head. Female browner, with a bluish gloss on the head. Juveniles show a clear yellowish cheek stripe. Widespread in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Favors native and exotic forest, scrub, and urban parks and gardens. Listen for its melodious song consisting of a series of tuneful notes. Alarm call is a harsh, rapidly repeated “yeng.” Distinguished from European Greenfinch by lack of a pale, conical bill and larger size. Listen for lack of grunts, wheezes, and clicks to distinguish song from that of Tui.
Steely-vented Hummingbird
Saucerottia saucerottei
Fairly small dark hummingbird, green overall with dark blue tail. Straight, medium-length bill. Sexes similar. Usually seen feeding singly in flowers along forest edge, shrubby second growth, and gardens. Separated from Emeralds by longer bill, blue-and-white vent, bronze patch on rump, and less deeply forked tail.
Varied Tit
Sittiparus varius
Active and colorful inhabitant of temperate lowland and foothill forests. Combination of bright orange underparts, blue-gray wings, and white cheeks is unmistakable within its range; similar Chestnut-bellied Tit is is restricted to Taiwan. Tame and boisterous, often frequenting gardens, parks, and backyard feeders, particularly in the winter.
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