South Georgia Pipit
Anthus antarcticus
This small streaky buff-brown ground-dweller is the only resident songbird on South Georgia Island, where it inhabits rocky shorelines, offshore islets, inland pools, and stands of tussac grass. Forages actively for invertebrates, running about and flicking its tail. Like many other Antarctic and subantarctic species, can be quite confiding, often allowing for close approach. Gives husky metallic “wick” and “tsik” notes, the latter typically given when in flight. Males perform a songflight display, giving jangling metallic phrases at well-spaced intervals.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Anthus antarcticus
- Authority
- Cabanis, 1884
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Genus
- Anthus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Nyanza Swift
Apus niansae
A brownish, mid-sized swift with a powerful, direct flight and contrasting paler patches along the trailing edges of the wings, adjacent to the body. Can be seen in flight over any habitat, but most often in dry and rocky areas. Very similar to several other swifts, and identification is tricky without a very good view or photo. Browner than African Black Swift. Pale patch in the wings separates it from Common and Forbes-Watson’s Swifts. The call is a high-pitched, descending trill.
Ash-throated Antwren
Herpsilochmus parkeri
Rare antwren restricted to a small area of the eastern Andes in northern Peru. Note the black cap, striped face, white wingbars, and lack of rufous in the wing. Female has a buffy tinge on her face and throat. While several other antwrens in Peru share similar plumage features, none of them occur in the limited range of this species. Inhabits the canopy of stunted cloud forest, especially on ridgetops. Song starts with a few rising notes and ends with a descending trill.
Orange Oriole
Icterus auratus
Attractive orange-and-black oriole of the Yucatan Peninsula, found in brushy woodland, forest edge, and semi-open areas with hedges and scattered trees. Rather similar to local population of Hooded Oriole, which often occurs in the same areas, even in the same flocks at flowering trees. Male Orange Oriole has an orange back, and both sexes have a straight bill (not slightly decurved, as on Hooded), and a less extensive black face and throat mask than Hooded.
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