Yellow-bellied Tanager
Ixothraupis xanthogastra
A small, colorful bird of forest canopy. Mostly bright green spotted heavily with black; the wings are bluish and the belly clear yellow. Occurs in humid lowland and Andean foothill forests in central and western Amazonia; in eastern part of range it is mainly found in tepui foothills but is perhaps overlooked in lowlands. Usually observed in mixed-species flocks, especially with other tanagers, moving quickly through canopy feeding on insects and fruit. Makes a variety of high-pitched calls, especially in flight, similar to other small tanagers and not particularly helpful in identification. Told from Speckled and Spotted tanagers by bright yellow (not white) belly, and from Dotted Tanager by yellow belly and extensive black spotting on head and breast.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ixothraupis xanthogastra
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1851)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Ixothraupis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Coppery-chested Jacamar
Galbula pastazae
Sparkling green and rusty bird found in cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes, at higher elevations than other jacamars. Mostly restricted to Ecuador, but it also reaches southern Colombia and extreme northern Peru. Green with reddish belly and undertail, blue crown and throat, and buffy eyering. Female has reddish throat. Long, thin bill may give the impression of an enormous hummingbird. Perches at low to mid levels, looking around frantically before sallying out to snatch an insect.
Pale Spiderhunter
Arachnothera dilutior
A medium-sized bird of lowland and foothill forest and edge with a very long curved bill. Has a preference for banana plants. Grayish on the head and back with olive-green wings, a pale gray throat and chest, and a pale yellow belly. Note the yellow eye-ring and white tips to the undertail. Somewhat similar to Naked-faced Spiderhunter, but smaller and paler. Also similar to females of several sunbird species, but larger and longer-billed. Voice includes a sharp, nasal “rek!”
Gray-backed Hawk
Pseudastur occidentalis
An endangered raptor found only in western Ecuador and immediately adjacent parts of Peru. It has white underparts, dark gray back and wings, and gray streaks on the head. Its tail is white with a thick black band near the tip that is especially evident in flight. Restricted to areas where extensive forest cover remains. Prefers dry and semi-humid areas; not normally present in the wetter forests of northwestern Ecuador, but may occasionally wander into them.
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