Gray Monjita
Nengetus cinereus
Large flycatcher of grasslands and savannas, occasionally venturing into urban areas. Note the red eyes, white eyebrow, and black-and-white mustache. It has a white throat and belly, a gray breast and back, and a black tail. In flight shows a broad white wing band. Usually seen in pairs foraging on the ground or perching prominently on top of bushes, fences, or wires.
Taxonomy
This species was formerly placed in the genus Xolmis but was moved to the resurrected genus Nengetus following the publication of a genetic analysis in 2020.
- Scientific name
- Nengetus cinereus
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1816)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Nengetus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Stripe-chested Antwren
Myrmotherula longicauda
Small, streaky antbird of humid forest along the east slope of the Andes; also found in lowlands away from the mountains in a few areas. Male is boldly striped with black and white. Female is black and tan with a similar stripy pattern but has plainer underparts. Inhabits dense vegetation at forest edge or overgrown clearings. Song is an excited series of doubled notes: “hiccup, hiccup, hiccup…”
Albertine Boubou
Laniarius holomelas
Mid-sized bushshrike that is completely black. Found in the undergrowth of humid forest at higher elevations. A skilled skulker that is most often detected by voice. Notable for its wide variety of vocalizations, which include whistles, explosive notes, frog-like calls, and ratchets. Also does a classic bushshrike duet in which the male sings a rising whistle accompanied by lower rasping notes from the female. Very similar to Willard’s Sooty Boubou, but prefers higher-elevation montane forest and has a dark eye.
Purple-throated Mountain-gem
Lampornis calolaemus
Stunning medium-sized hummingbird. Male shows bright purple throat, blue crown, and white line behind eye. Female not quite as colorful but still striking: bright buffy underparts with black cheek and white line behind eye. She is very similar to female White-bellied Mountain-gem but has greener tail; only safely identified with a good view. A forest hummingbird of middle elevations that also comes out to edges and gardens, visits feeders.
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