Rosy-patched Bushshrike

Rhodophoneus cruentus

An unusually colored sandy-brown bushshrike. There is both sexual and geographical variation in the pattern of the underparts. The throat can be white or rose, and there is sometimes a black breast patch and throat border. Both sexes always show some rose on the underparts, plus a rosy patch on the back. Found in pairs in dry savanna and thornscrub. The distinctive song consists of high-pitched, off-key whistles, which are usually delivered in a simple duet.  

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Rhodophoneus cruentus
Authority
(Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Malaconotidae
Genus
Rhodophoneus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Straight-billed Woodcreeper

Straight-billed Woodcreeper

Dendroplex picus

Widespread and fairly common in northern South America. This medium-sized woodcreeper is found in open wooded habitats, scrub, and riparian forest. The well-named woodcreeper has a very straight bill that can even look slightly upturned unlike most other woodcreepers. Also note the bill’s pale color. Otherwise, mostly dark brown with fine streaking on the head and breast, but note the unstreaked back. Very similar to Zimmer’s Woodcreeper, but listen for Straight-billed’s slightly slower song that typically goes up in pitch at the end. Striped Woodcreeper has more streaking on the back and a slightly decurved bill. Usually seen singly or in pairs working up tree trunks and branches, usually at lower to middle levels in forest. Sometimes follows mixed-species flocks.

Gray-bellied Hawk

Gray-bellied Hawk

Accipiter poliogaster

Rare, unobtrusive, and robust forest hawk. Dark above and pale below with gleaming white underwings. Adults of both sexes have a bright yellow bill. Males are gray-faced and females black-faced. Juveniles resemble a miniature Ornate Hawk-Eagle with an orange nape and breast, but are smaller and have bare thighs. Usually found in extensive forests, but occasionally at forest edges and in non-forested areas.

White-tufted Grebe

White-tufted Grebe

Rollandia rolland

Widespread and often fairly common small dark grebe of lakes, ponds, wetlands; also river mouths and coastal waters, mainly in winter. Like all grebes dives well and can stay underwater for a long time. No similar species in range. Handsome breeding birds have a bold white “fan” on the sides of the head. Immature and nonbreeding birds have a dark cap and a streaked whitish face. Falkland population is larger and blacker, and is likely a different species.

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