Orange-throated Tanager
Wetmorethraupis sterrhopteron
Unique and beautiful rainforest tanager known only from several remote areas of the eastern Andes in northern Peru and southeastern Ecuador. No other Andean bird has an orange throat, black upperparts, and blue wings. Most often encountered in clearings with scattered trees or at the edge of the forest. Pairs or small groups roam widely through the forest canopy, giving loud, far-carrying squeaky calls.
Taxonomy
The orange-throated tanager was formally described by George Lowery and John O'Neill in 1964. The authors placed the species in a new genus Wetmorethraupis to give the binomial name Wetmorethraupis sterrhopteron. The genus name honours the American ornithologist Alexander Wetmore by combining his name with the genus name Thraupis, the type genus of the tanager family Thraupidae. The specific epithet combines the Ancient Greek sterrhos meaning "stiff" or "hard" with pteron meaning feather.<p>A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2014 found that Wetmorethraupis was the sister taxon to Bangsia. The orange-throated tanager is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.
- Scientific name
- Wetmorethraupis sterrhopteron
- Authority
- Lowery & O'Neill, 1964
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Wetmorethraupis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-cheeked Turaco
Menelikornis leucotis
A spectacular green turaco with a bushy crest. There are two white marks on the face, though these vary geographically in size, and one subspecies also shows orange on the back of the head. Shows large crimson wing patches in flight. Found in montane forest and woodland. Acts like a typical turaco, bouncing through the trees and flying occasionally with short bursts of wingbeats and long glides. Call is a gruff, accelerating series of “kow” notes. Similar to Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, but easily separated by its white facial markings.
Calabarzon Babbler
Sterrhoptilus affinis
A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest and edge; endemic to Luzon, though lumped with Visayan Babbler under “Black-crowned Babbler” by some taxonomies. Has a gray back and cheek with fine pale streaks, dark wings and tail with white outer tail feathers, white underparts, a pale rufous throat, and a black crown. Note the slender black bill. Often joins mixed-species flocks and sometimes hangs upside down while feeding. Somewhat similar to Green-backed Whistler, especially from below, but smaller, with a pale rufous throat and a black crown. Voice includes a medium-pitched “poo piuu!” with the second note downslurred.
Western Crowned-Pigeon
Goura cristata
An enormous pigeon of lowland forest. Erect, mohicanlike crest, overall blue-gray plumage, with a striking white shoulder patch, surrounded by maroon which stretches in a band across the back. Unlike other crowned-pigeons, lacks maroon on the chest. Feeds on the ground and flushes up into the trees where it freezes. Wings clap loudly on take off. Unmistakable. No other crowned pigeons share the range. Call, a deep, mournful “oooh ooohwoooh!” or a series of deep, descelerating “wup” notes.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.