Chestnut-breasted Nigrita
Nigrita bicolor
An easily overlooked finch that can sit unnoticed low in the shadows of forest, forest edge, and farmlands. Bicolored in appearance, with dark reddish underparts and face and a gray crown, back, wings, and tail. Sometimes encountered in small groups or mixed-species flocks, and will venture into the canopy. Co-occurs with and sometimes flocks with other species of nigrita, but distinguished from them by its dark reddish undersides combined with its small size. Song is variable, sometimes consisting of four wavering whistles that rise and then fall on the last note: “where are you, there?” Also gives a rising and falling “twee-teer” in combinations of varying length, in addition to harsh chattering notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Nigrita bicolor
- Authority
- (Hartlaub, 1844)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Nigrita
Range and habitat
The chestnut-breasted nigrita inhabits subtropical/ tropical (lowland) forest, mangrove and shrubland habitats of the African tropical rainforest.<p>The status of the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Ochre-breasted Catbird
Ailuroedus stonii
A large, shy, stocky bird of lowland and foothill forest interior of south eastern New Guinea. A distinct black crown contrasting with white cheek and throat, containing very fine, black dots. A messy, splotched, black collar joins the crown on the back of the neck and gets narrower to the throat. Chest and belly are buffy with small black spots becoming finer towards the belly. Could co-occur with Black-capped Catbird, but Ochre-breasted is smaller, is usually found at lower elevation and has a white cheek. One call is a ringing, high-pitch “chink!”.
Undulated Antpitta
Grallaria squamigera
Large antpitta of the temperate zone in the Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia. Typical antpitta shape: plump with short tail and long legs. Size alone helps separate from most other antpittas, as does boldly scalloped underparts. Often occurs at higher elevations than other antpittas of similar size such as Giant and Great, but plenty of overlap; note Undulated’s slaty gray (not brown) back and dark mustache stripe. Like most antpittas, very difficult to see; occasionally hops along a forest trail, especially in the morning and evening. Listen for its fast, hollow-sounding triling song.
Small-billed Elaenia
Elaenia parvirostris
A fairly small and very dull-looking flycatcher. Grayish brown above and whitish below with a thin white eyering, three pale wingbars, and pinkish base to the bill. Note the round head with only a very slight crested appearance. Found in woodlands and edges up to around 1,200 m. Breeds from southern Brazil to central Argentina, migrating north in the austral winter to far northern South America. Extremely similar to White-crested Elaenia, which tends to show a less obvious eyering and has only two wingbars. Note vocalizations, which include a slightly burry “wh’eer” call, a fast complex “tweedle-twee,” and single “pip” notes.
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