Yellow-bridled Finch
Melanodera xanthogramma
Handsome, stocky, and generally uncommon “finch” (actually a tanager) of bleak rocky slopes and bogs above timberline in Andes and Tierra del Fuego; southern birds also range to coastal lowlands in winter. Sides of tail white on northern birds, yellow on southern. Male has black throat framed by diagnostic yellow bridle; head and body either blue-gray overall or strongly washed greenish yellow. Female streaky overall, best identified by presence of males, and white (northern) or yellow (southern) edgings to tail feathers.
Identification
The male is mostly yellow and grey with black markings around the face and neck. The female and juvenile are a mottled slightly yellowish grey.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Melanodera xanthogramma
- Authority
- (Gould & Gray, GR, 1839)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Melanodera
Range and habitat
Its natural habitat is high-altitude grassland, from the tropical in the north to the sub-Antarctic region of Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn in the south.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle
Spizaetus melanoleucus
Rare but spectacular eagle of lowland tropical forest. Very rarely seen perched, when black mask, orange-yellow base of bill, and short black crest are distinctive. In flight appears bright white below with a white head and blackish upperparts. The diagnostic, white leading edge of the inner half of the wing contrasts with the black upperside and can be seen in flight at long range. Does not call much when flying, unlike Black and Ornate hawk-eagles. Adult similar to pale immature Gray-headed Kite, but is larger and has orange base to bill.
Orange-banded Thrush
Geokichla peronii
An unmistakable thrush with a “tiger-striped” face pattern, a white throat, a broad orange chest band, orange flanks, a white belly, and extensive bold white wing markings. Juveniles show rusty wing spots, pale streaking, a black and buff breast band, and black flank spots. Forages singly or in pairs on the ground and in trees, in forests and wooded patches within lowlands and hills. Confined to the eastern Lesser Sundas. Gives a rich, musical song characteristic of thrushes, with sequences of fluty upslurred and downslurred whistled notes comprising repeated phrases mixed with softer, chuckling sounds and thin, high-pitched notes.
Rüppell's Weaver
Ploceus galbula
A fairly small and compact weaver of dry country. Breeding males are olive-green above and bright yellow below, with a rufous patch on the face and a red eye. Females, non-breeding males, and juveniles are much duller, brownish-olive overall with a dark eye and a pinkish bill. Found in dry thorn savanna and cultivated areas, often in small flocks. Females and non-breeding males can be separated from most similar weavers by their pale bill and overall size and shape; very similar to Vitelline Masked-Weaver, but separated by the dark eye. Vocalizations are typical of weavers: “chik” notes and a sizzling “radio static” song.
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