Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher
Trochocercus nitens
A locally common but easily overlooked flycatcher of forest and forest edge. Has a distinctive crested flycatcher shape but more warbler-like behavior, sitting laterally on perches and moving its tail around as it forages. Male has a glossy black head, throat, back, wings, and tail, with a pale gray belly. Female is pale gray all over, slightly darker on the back, wings, and tail, with a blackish cap. Song is an ethereal, hollow “wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo,” rising in pitch, reminiscent of a fast White-spotted Flufftail. Calls include harsh chatters and rattles.
Taxonomy
Formerly, some authorities have placed the blue-headed crested flycatcher in the genus Terpsiphone. Alternate names include the blue-headed flycatcher and blue-headed paradise-flycatcher.<p>Two subspecies are recognized:
- Scientific name
- Trochocercus nitens
- Authority
- Cassin, 1859
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Monarchidae
- Genus
- Trochocercus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Scrub Euphonia
Euphonia affinis
Tiny finch of tropical lowlands and foothills, especially in drier areas. Occurs from eastern Mexico to Costa Rica, where it is found in open woodland, forest edge, and clearings with trees. Usually in pairs, sometimes small groups that associate readily with other euphonias, especially when feeding at mistletoe. Male has black head and throat with yellow forehead patch; female rather drab, but lacks vested appearance of female Yellow-throated Euphonia, which is slightly larger.
White-crowned Robin-Chat
Cossypha albicapillus
A large and colorful robin-chat with a black face mask that continues onto the chin. The color of the crown is pure white in the far western part of the range, and white with black markings elsewhere. A shy bird of dense thickets, gardens, and forest, often along rivers and streams. Similar to Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, but larger, usually with black markings in the white crown, and with a black rather than orange chin. Usually detected by song, a fast and complex mix of musical whistles.
Red Shoveler
Spatula platalea
Distinctive dabbling duck: combination of very large, slightly shovel-shaped black bill and and pale blue forewing patches (brighter on male) identify all plumages. Male has a pale gray head with pale yellow eyes and a “red” body with black spots. Female is mottled brown overall, but note white sides to pointed tail, big black bill. Fairly common in wetlands and at lakes, river mouths, and sewage lagoons. Unlike many dabbling ducks, often rather quiet.
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