Splendid Sunbird
Cinnyris coccinigastrus
A fairly large, long-billed sunbird in which males and females are very different. Males are dark, with an iridescent multi-colored hood and a black belly. Females have olive-brown upperparts, yellowish underparts with blurry streaking, and a vague pale eye-stripe. Found in lush savanna, gardens, coastal scrub, forest clearings, and forest edge. Male similar to male Superb and Johanna’s Sunbird, but separated by the black rather than red belly. Female similar to female Copper Sunbird, but more streaked below, with a less distinct pale eyebrow. The song is a slow series of several low-pitched whistled notes. The most common call is a repeated scratchy scolding.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Cinnyris coccinigastrus
- Authority
- (Latham, 1801)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Cinnyris
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Javan Banded-Pitta
Hydrornis guajanus
Beautiful ground-dweller with black mask, clean white throat, and finely barred underparts. Male has an egg-yolk-yellow eyebrow, royal-blue “bib”, and black crown. Female has a dull tan-yellow eyebrow and brown crown. Both sexes have a bright blue tail and a white “racing stripe” down the edge of the wing. Inhabits a range of wooded habitats, from primary wet forest to overgrown plantations and dry scrub, in the lowlands and foothills of Java and Bali. Forages on the ground, either singly or in pairs. Gives a loud, bright “whOW!” and a low rolling trill.
Cabanis's Spinetail
Synallaxis cabanisi
Range-restricted, gray-and-red spinetail. Found in bamboo and other dense, tangly undergrowth in secondary forest in parts of the Andean foothills of Peru, Bolivia, and adjacent lowlands. Browner than the similar Dark-breasted Spinetail, which has a gray face and underparts. Darker and more reddish on the upperparts and crown than other similar species like Plain-crowned and Pale-breasted Spinetails. Forages singly or in pairs in the undergrowth. Listen for its call: a nasal “nyeck-nyeck.”
Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensis
Common in Caribbean and South America. Found in semiopen and open grassy areas, often associated with livestock. Feeds mainly on the ground, but perches readily in bushes and trees. Male is glossy blue-black overall (often looks simply black). Female is plain grayish-brown overall. Bill shape is the key feature: blackish bill is more slender and pointed than bills of Brown-headed and Bronzed cowbirds. Also note similar but larger Melodious Blackbird, which has longer bill and often flicks its tail.
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