Red Myzomela
Myzomela cruentata
A beautiful small myzomela in which males are vivid-red with a slightly darker patch in front of the eyes. Female also has distinctive plumage: mostly olive with a reddish face, a red rump, and a reddish tail. Found in primary rainforest and forest edge as well as secondary growth, mainly in hill forest above 600 meters of elevation but sometimes below. Unique coloration separates it from similar species, the male being entirely red, and the female having the diagnostic reddish rump and tail. Common call is a repeated high-pitched, insect-like “tseet.”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Myzomela cruentata
- Authority
- Meyer, AB, 1874
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Genus
- Myzomela
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Hyacinth Macaw
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
Unmistakable huge macaw with cobalt blue plumage contrasting with a yellow eyering and bill base. Found at forest borders, in open woodland, and in savanna with palm trees, where mostly seen in pairs but also in small flocks. Feeds on palm fruits on the ground or in trees. Gives a series of loud croaking 'kraaa' notes.
Black-throated Huet-huet
Pteroptochos tarnii
Fairly common but elusive; heard far more often than seen. Favors native temperate forest and adjacent shrubbery, especially bamboo. Feeds on the ground by scratching with its big feet in leaf litter, and runs very quickly and stealthily. Agitated birds can call loudly from middle level perches, cocking their tail. Nests in burrows, but can nest high up in tree hollows. Plumage distinctive, with pale eyering, dark slaty throat and breast, and rusty belly. No range overlap with Chestnut-throated Huet-huet.
Tacarcuna Wood-Quail
Odontophorus dialeucos
This rare chickenlike bird has an exceptionally small range on the border between Panama and Colombia. Found on the ground in mature forest from around 1,000–1,400 m. Dark brown overall with a black head, a whitish face and eyebrow merging with a buffy nape, and a white band across upper chest. Lives in small groups, which can be difficult to see. Listen for the rollicking whistled song, typical of wood-quail.
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