Black-chested Fruiteater
Pipreola lubomirskii
Scarce fruiteater found in cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes in Ecuador, southern Colombia, and northern Peru. Male has a solid black hood that is not bordered by yellow on the neck. Female is mostly green with yellow streaking on her belly. Yellow eyes and dark legs are also useful features in both sexes to separate them from similar species. Feeds on berries at middle to upper levels in the forest. Gives very high-pitched whistles, some very short and others long and drawn out.
Identification
Fruiteaters are stocky birds with short tails and short tarsi (lower legs). The black-chested fruiteater is a medium-size fruiteater with a length of 18 cm (7.1 in). The male has a black head, throat and upper breast. The upper parts of the body are bright green and the underparts yellowish-green with mottling on the flanks. The female lacks the black head region and has a bright green back, throat and cheat and underparts streaked with yellow and green. The iris is yellow in both sexes, the beak pinkish-orange and the legs greenish-grey. This species could be confused with the green-and-black fruiteater (Pipreola riefferii), but the latter species has pale barring on the tertial wing feathers, and a yellow border to the black chest in the male. The song is a faint, high-pitched ascending whistle "tseeeeeeweee", and there are further short, rising and falling, whistling calls.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pipreola lubomirskii
- Authority
- Taczanowski, 1879
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cotingidae
- Genus
- Pipreola
Range and habitat
The black-chested fruiteater is native to the Andean region of South America. Its range extends on the eastern side of the Andes from southern Colombia, through Ecuador, to northern Peru; it is found in montane forests and its altitudinal range is 1,500 to 2,300 m (4,900 to 7,500 ft). It also occurs as separate populations locally on the western side of the Andes at Cajamarca and in the south of Marañón Province.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellus
A handsome and striking large wader (shorebird) with long wispy crest. Fairly common in open habitats, from grassland and farmland to wetlands, and locally on coastal mudflats. Declining in some areas with land-use changes. Forms flocks from late summer through winter, locally in hundreds or even thousands. Boldly patterned plumage looks black and white overall, but back shows green gloss in good light. Flies with deep, rather floppy wingbeats and dives steeply in breeding display; wingtips notably broad and rounded, not pointed like most waders.
Abyssinian White-eye
Zosterops abyssinicus
A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird. Note the yellow throat, gray underparts, and narrow white spectacles around the eyes. Found in woodland, montane forest edge, mangroves, gardens, and scrub. Usually in hyperactive flocks, often joining mixed-species flocks. Similar to Heuglin’s White-eye, and some individuals are difficult to separate, but generally shows a narrower eye-ring. Most common call is a high-pitched rising rattle. Song is a quiet, chatty sequence of “chew” notes.
Purple-bearded Bee-eater
Meropogon forsteni
An unmistakable large bee-eater with elongated central tail feathers, a green back and uppertail, and a diagnostic deep purple face and throat. Purple throat is more extensive in males. Juveniles are greener below, less purple, and lack long central tail feathers. Typically found singly or in pairs in the understory and canopy of forests and forest clearings within the foothills and mountains of Sulawesi. Call is a distinctive, high-pitched “tsiyup,” slurred upward.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.