Black-chested Sparrow
Peucaea humeralis
Very handsome but rather local sparrow endemic to interior southwest Mexico. Found in scrubby woodland and edge of dry tropical foothills and interior valleys. Usually in pairs or small groups, which keep in touch with high, rhythmic twittering choruses. Can be very skulking. Mostly stays low in brush or on the ground, but sings from atop bushes. Plumage distinctive, with black chest, white whisker, and rusty back.
Identification
The black-chested sparrow (Peucaea humeralis) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows. It is endemic to Mexico.
Taxonomy
Genus: Peucaea; Family: Passerellidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Peucaea humeralis
- Authority
- (Cabanis, 1851)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Genus
- Peucaea
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Mindoro Hornbill
Penelopides mindorensis
A fairly large bird of lowland and foothill forest on Mindoro. Small for a hornbill. Bill fairly short with black bands. Has black wings, a pale buffy tail with black tip, pale underparts and head with a black cheek, and bare skin around the face and chin. Male has pinkish facial skin, while female’s is blue. Unmistakable. The only hornbill on Mindoro. Voice is a short nasal bark, “wak!”
Northern Jacana
Jacana spinosa
Fancy-looking, vaguely chicken-like bird of freshwater marshes, lakes, and ponds in tropical lowlands, locally in highlands. Walks with high-stepping gait, often on top of floating vegetation (note its very long toes!). Adult is chestnut overall with black head and neck; immature looks very different, with creamy-white face, neck, and underparts. Bright yellow wings striking in flight, when birds usually give shrieks and other raucous calls. Flies with stiff wingbeats and glides, the long feet trailing out behind.
Black-faced Pitta
Pitta anerythra
A long-legged, plump-bodied, mostly ground-dwelling bird with bluish-green wings and back, a pale aqua shoulder patch, a light peach-tawny underside and chest, a white throat, and a deep black head. On Choiseul and Santa Isabel, has a light ruddy brown crown. On Bougainville, has a black crown and brown streak behind the eye. Resident in primary forest and forest edge habitats. Unique within its range. Voice is a series of short, rising growling sounds, similar to a kettle boiling.
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