Sclater's Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias sclateri

Small, long-tailed flycatcher of mid-elevation montane forest. Tends to perch fairly horizontally, foraging around the mid-story and canopy. Pale below, drab olive above, with yellow feather edges on the wing and tail and a gray head. Notice the white wingbars and eyebrow. Paler and drabber than other similar species like Buff-banded Tyrannulet; brighter white wingbars can also be a good distinguishing feature. Sclater’s song is a series of froggy churrs, interspersed with sharp “tlit” notes.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Phyllomyias sclateri
Authority
Berlepsch, 1901
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Phyllomyias

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Santa Marta Wren

Santa Marta Wren

Troglodytes monticola

Highly endangered wren restricted to grassy and scrubby areas above tree line high up in Colombia’s Santa Marta Mountains. Reaching its habitat involves a multi-day camping expedition, and it cannot be seen in the commonly birded areas lower down the mountains. Rich coloration and heavily barred underparts separate it from House Wren, the only other similar species that could possibly occur in its lofty domain. Song is a descending, tinkling series of notes.

Gray-headed Elaenia

Gray-headed Elaenia

Myiopagis caniceps

Small flycatcher found in humid forest in lowlands and lower mountain slopes. Male is gray with paler underparts and dark wings with white wingbars. Female looks quite different with olive upperparts and yellowish underparts. She is very similar to Forest Elaenia, but has a paler and cleaner (not mottled) breast. Gray-headed Elaenia is also very similar to Amazonian Elaenia, but note its more southerly range. In areas where their ranges meet, identification may have to be confirmed by voice, though Gray-headed Elaenia usually shows a contrasting pale white or yellow eye. Typical song is a rapid, slightly descending trill, often preceded by one or more clear whistles. Usually stays high in the forest, often in the canopy.

Blue-winged Racquet-tail

Blue-winged Racquet-tail

Prioniturus verticalis

A rare medium-sized parrot of lowland forest and edge on the Sulu Islands, possibly only remaining on Tawi-Tawi. The two central tail feathers have extended shafts ending in a racket shape. Overall green in color, darker on the back and paler below, with deeper green on the head and a pale bill. Male has a red-and-blue crown patch, but female’s patch is only blue. Occurs together with Blue-naped and Azure-rumped Parrots, but smaller, with a small pale bill. Voice includes various nasal squawks and grating calls.

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