Brown-crowned Scimitar-Babbler
Pomatorhinus phayrei
A large and vocal babbler of montane rainforest and shrubby edges. Note warm russet brown upperparts, a white throat blending to pale buff underparts, white-bordered black mask, and bright red bill. Forages actively in the dense midstorey, sometimes in mixed species flocks, and can be difficult to see well. Occasionally descends to the ground to rummage through fallen leaves. Can be readily mistaken for the similar Red-billed Scimitar-Babbler, but note Brown-crowned’s thicker bill and pale buff rather than white chest. Often gives harsh grating or excited chattering calls, as well as soft, oriole-like notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pomatorhinus phayrei
- Authority
- Blyth, 1847
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Timaliidae
- Genus
- Pomatorhinus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Great Gray Shrike
Lanius excubitor
Thrush-sized bird; pale gray overall with black mask. In flight, watch for white patches in the wings. In areas of overlap, compare with other gray shrikes. Inhabits open habitats with scattered vegetation, from open forests to bogs and brushy meadows. Often seen on prominent perches, including power lines and short treetops, that offer perfect vantages for from which to spot prey. Carnivorous habits make shrikes unique among passerines, feeding on rodents and small birds. Vocalizations include bright short liquid trills and “gargling” phrases, often strung together into a repetitive song.
Brown-rumped Tapaculo
Scytalopus latebricola
Small, mouse-like bird found only at higher elevations in Colombia’s Santa Marta Mountains. Adult is gray with a bit of brown on the rump and lower underparts. Young birds are browner with dark barring and scaling. The only other tapaculo in range is Santa Marta Tapaculo, which has a white crown patch, occurs at lower elevations, and has a different voice. Song starts with several sharp notes, and then abruptly morphs into a harsh, rapid trill. Skulks in cloud forest understory, where it is normally hard to see well.
Desert Sparrow
Passer simplex
Small, delicate pallid sparrow. Male has pale gray upperparts, a black bib, black lines in front of the eyes (lores), sandy underparts, and large white wing patches. Female is pale sandy overall with paler underparts. Found in sandy arid habitats, desert scrub, plantations, oases, and tamarisk scrub. Call is a rather deep "churp."
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