Santa Marta Warbler
Myiothlypis basilica
Handsome warbler found only at higher elevations in Colombia’s Santa Marta Mountains. The combination of yellow body and ornately patterned black and white head is unique within its limited range. Hides in dense tangles in cloud forest understory, especially in bamboo patches, and can be hard to see well. Pairs sing duets where one bird gives a rising and falling series of squeaks, and its mate adds a steady series of tic notes. Small numbers can usually be found along the road in the upper reaches of El Dorado Nature Reserve.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Myiothlypis basilica
- Authority
- (Todd, 1913)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Parulidae
- Genus
- Myiothlypis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous-vented Grass Babbler
Laticilla burnesii
Specialized, slender prinia-like babbler. Restricted to lowland grassy riverine plains, where it typically stays low in the vegetation in small flocks, flushing only reluctantly. If seen, note very long tail, white throat, and streaking all over the body. Shy and difficult to see; more readily detected by its bubby, warbling song.
Black-headed Berryeater
Carpornis melanocephala
Big and chunky cotinga that is usually spotted perching motionless in the canopy of humid forests. The black head contrasts with a red iris. Olive-green on the back and yellow below with dark barring. Both sexes are quite similar. The song is a long whistle with protracted silences between calling bouts.
White-rumped Swiftlet
Aerodramus spodiopygius
A small, mostly gray swiftlet, paler beneath with a pale throat and darker cap. White rump varies from white to pale gray. Occurs over a wide range of habitats up to 1900 meters of elevation. Similar to both Uniform Swiftlet and Mayr’s Swiftlet, but smaller, with a paler rump. Main call is a pleasant twitter, “twee-twee-chew-chew.”
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