Santa Marta Woodstar
Chaetocercus astreans
Tiny bumblebee-like hummingbird found only in and around Colombia’s Santa Marta Mountains, where it is the only woodstar. Usually encountered in cloud forest at moderate elevations, but occasionally wanders down to near sea level. Note the white spots next to the rump, which is typical of woodstars. Adult male has a glittering magenta throat patch bordered by white and a spiky tail. Female has a black mask and a tawny belly. Young males look like females but with blotching on the throat. Often seen resting on bare branches at the very top of a tall tree. Regularly seen in and around El Dorado Nature Reserve, though only rarely visits the feeders.
Identification
The Santa Marta woodstar (Chaetocercus astreans) is a species of hummingbird in tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, the "bee hummingbirds". It is endemic to Colombia.
Taxonomy
Genus: Chaetocercus; Family: Trochilidae; Order: Apodiformes.
- Scientific name
- Chaetocercus astreans
- Authority
- (Bangs, 1899)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Chaetocercus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilus
Looks very much like a chiffchaff, and best identified by voice: song is pleasant, slightly descending warble, very different from song of chiffchaff. Compared to chiffchaff, Willow Warbler is often brighter, more yellowish (especially in autumn) with stronger pale eyebrow, pinkish legs, and tends not to habitually dip its tail. However, many birds seen are best left unidentified. Found in wooded habitats, from mixed forest to willow thickets in open country.
Shelley's Francolin
Scleroptila shelleyi
Medium-sized, beautifully-patterned francolin. Shows rufous patches in the wings in flight. Found on the ground in areas with thick grass, ranging from pure grassland to lush woodland. Mostly at low and moderate elevations, but sometimes found in high mountain grassland. Call is a rhythmic up-and-down repeated “chil-it, chil-chow”. Generally scarce, shy, and retiring. Range does not overlap extensively with similar francolins. Combination of complex facial pattern and belly heavily barred black-and-white are always diagnostic. Much more cleanly and boldly marked than the more washed-out and buffy Whyte’s Francolin.
Afghan Babbler
Argya huttoni
Slender, dusty-colored babbler with a long tail. Look for its contrasting white throat and streaked crown and back. Found in dry open areas such as semidesert, scrubland, and various edge habitats. Rummages about on the ground in mid-sized to large flocks. Gives a clear, musical, purring series of notes, either ascending or descending, as well as harsher, scratchier calls.
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