Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow
Melozone kieneri
Attractive, rather skulking large sparrow of foothills, endemic to west Mexico. Favors brushy understory of tropical woodlands, shade-coffee plantations, and brushy hedges in farmland. Mostly stays well hidden on or near the ground, but can feed in the open beside quiet roads and trails, especially in early mornings; usually in pairs. Note the rusty cap (often raised when excited), white spectacles, and extensive white bib with a dark central spot.
Identification
Its size ranges from six to seven inches (15–17.5 cm). The adult has a rufous crown with white lore spot and its face is olive brown with white eye ring while the upper parts grayish olive. Its throat and underparts are white with a black central chest spot and the undertail covers are pale cinnamon. Juveniles are dusky brown on the upper parts with the throat and underparts dirty pale lemon, streaked with brown.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Melozone kieneri
- Authority
- (Bonaparte, 1850)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Genus
- Melozone
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Calochaetes coccineus
Scarce and beautiful tanager of cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes. Scarlet with black wings, face, and throat. Sexes look alike. Similar to Masked Crimson Tanager, but lacks black belly, has an entirely black bill, and is found at higher elevations. Forages in middle to upper forest levels, and often joins mixed-species flocks.
Red-naped Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus dohertyi
A large, striking fruit-dove with a dark lower body, a cream-colored head, and a diagnostic conspicuous red patch on the nape. Juveniles show yellow fringes to upperparts feathers and greenish feathers on head and breast. Usually encountered singly or in pairs in the upper levels of forest in lowlands and hills. Call is a low, disyllabic “wooo-hoo,” usually given repeatedly.
Eared Quetzal
Euptilotis neoxenus
Scarce, large trogon of pine and pine-oak forests in mountains and canyons of northwest Mexico. Usually rather wary, flying long distances when disturbed, but can be found feeding quietly at fruiting trees. Often perches with a hunchbacked posture. Note the rather small head with a grayish bill and mostly white underside to the tail. The "ears" are fine plumes on the sides of the head, rarely visible in the field. Also note the distinctive calls, very different from other trogons.
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