Moustached Brushfinch

Atlapetes albofrenatus

A distinctive brushfinch with a limited range in north-central Colombia and western Venezuela. Olive above and yellow below with a mostly black head, a tawny crown, and a bold white mustache stripe. Occurs at the edge of montane forest from around 1,500 to 2,500 m. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, foraging in the lower to middle levels.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Atlapetes albofrenatus
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Passerellidae
Genus
Atlapetes

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Gould's Frogmouth

Gould's Frogmouth

Batrachostomus stellatus

Cryptic, seldom-seen nightbird of lowland and foothill forests. Unlike other small frogmouths, sexes are alike. Light morph is bright rufous with scattered white dots on the wings and mottled-white underparts. Dark morph is brown but with the same general patterning. Compare with Sunda Frogmouth: male Sunda is much more heavily marked with white above and has patchier markings on the underparts, while female Sunda has a prominent white band across the chest. Sumatran and Bornean Frogmouths inhabit higher elevations. Song is a loud “weeow-wah.” Calls include “weeow” and a rapid series of “wuk” notes that resembles a thrush’s alarm call.

Andean Hillstar

Andean Hillstar

Oreotrochilus estella

Small hummingbird of the high Andes; found in rocky and shrubby valleys, villages, and any open and semiopen areas with flowers. Often builds nest under eaves of buildings or bridges: a bulky cup of plant material and alpaca wool to insulate against cold nights. Fairly common. Readily identified in most of range by its extensively white tail. Male has an emerald green gorget and a rusty stripe on belly. Female is rather drab, but note slightly decurved bill, spotted throat, and tail pattern.

Smoky Warbler

Smoky Warbler

Phylloscopus fuligiventer

Dark sooty leaf warbler with a pale brow stripe and no wingbars. Yellow wash to the underparts tends to be absent in worn birds. Extremely similar in appearance to Dusky Warbler, which averages larger and darker overall, and has a longer, brighter brow stripe. Breeds in scrubby areas above the treeline and moves downhill into shrubby and grassy foothill and lowland areas. Forages low on the ground, often around rocks or water. Song is a repetitive series of liquid notes. Calls are dry, hard “chuck” or “tick” notes.

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