Southern Tropical Pewee
Contopus cinereus
Small, gray flycatcher lacking strong markings. Note its peaked crown and yellow lower half off bill. Some birds may show faint wingbars and a slight yellowish cast to the belly. Little overlap with other pewees; in the Andes it might be found together with Eastern Wood-Pewee or Western Wood-Pewee during the northern winter. Southern Tropical Pewee has shorter wings, a longer tail, and may show a faint spot between the bill and eye. Voice is the most reliable way to separate them. Listen for an explosive “CHIpeer” as well as a series of sharp chip notes. Typically encountered at forest edge or in clearings. Often perches on an exposed branch, from which it flies out to chase insects in looping, acrobatic sallies.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Contopus cinereus
- Authority
- (Spix, 1825)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Contopus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Narrow-billed Tody
Todus angustirostris
A small, gemlike species that prefers higher elevation moist woodlands, but also occurs in coffee plantations. The rather large head, long bill, and short tail create a profile shared only by the Broad-billed Tody within its range. Both species have bright green upperparts and a red throat and sides. Note especially the pale eyes of Narrow-billed Tody, as compared to the dark eyes of Broad-billed. Many Broad-billed also have a buff-yellow wash below, which the Narrow-billed lacks. On birds lacking buff below, the Broad-billed can be identified by its all red lower bill, which is black tipped in the Narrow-billed. Further clues to identification include altitude, with this species occurring above 700 meters elevation and the Broad-billed occurring mostly below 700 meters. The Broad-billed also tends to forage higher within woodlands on more open perches. Vocalizations include a buzzy “chik-zhwik” with second note slightly upslurred and a rapid buzzy chatter at about 14 notes per second; compare this with the quick “weep” or “whip” uttered by the Broad-billed.
Fülleborn's Boubou
Laniarius fuelleborni
Mid-sized bushshrike that is completely black. Found in the undergrowth of humid forest at middle and high elevations. A skilled skulker that is most often detected by voice. Gives a wide variety of vocalizations, which include whistles, explosive notes, frog-like calls, and ratchets. The most common vocalization is a quick series of three whistles: “whit-whit-wee.” Very similar to Slate-colored Boubou, but found in montane forest rather than lower-elevation savanna and woodland.
Sickle-billed Vanga
Falculea palliata
Huge black-and-white vanga with a long curved bill. Juveniles have shorter bills. Madagascar endemic that is found at low elevations in spiny forest, dry deciduous forest, scrub, and plantations. Feeds by probing into cracks and crevices with its long bill, sometimes hanging upside down to do so. Very loud and vocal, giving a variety of calls including scolds, rasps, and a long wail that sounds almost like a human baby. Much larger than White-headed and Chabert Vangas, with a longer, curved bill.
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