Subtropical Doradito

Pseudocolopteryx acutipennis

A bright flycatcher found in marshes in the Andes from Colombia to Argentina. Yellow below and olive above, sometimes showing a hint of a dark mask and dull yellowish edges on the wing feathers. Distinctive in habitat, although could be confused with a female Masked Yellowthroat, which has a pinkish bill and legs. Forages singly or in pairs; can be difficult to see in dense marsh grasses. Mostly occurs from 1,000 to 3,500 m, but some appear to move into lowlands in the winter in southern part of range. Gives single nasal calls as well as a whirring noise produced by the wings.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Pseudocolopteryx acutipennis
Authority
(Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1873)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Pseudocolopteryx

Range and habitat

Migration
Complete migrants

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Western Spindalis

Western Spindalis

Spindalis zena

Uncommon in thickets, forest edge, and gardens, where found mainly at fruiting trees and bushes. Usually in pairs or small flocks, and often quite inconspicuous. Handsome male is unmistakable, with bold head pattern, golden-yellow and dark reddish body plumage, and bold white wing pattern. Female is notably drab, grayish olive overall with a small white mark on the wing, and a ghosting of the male wing pattern.

Barred Fruiteater

Barred Fruiteater

Pipreola arcuata

Chunky, short-tailed, flat-headed bird patterned in green and black. Male has black head and breast, pale yellow belly with bold dark barring, and mossy green upperparts with bold pale spotting on the wing. Female is similar but has a green head with barring all the way up the throat. On both sexes, note red bill and legs and pale eye varying from orange to gray to whitish. Fairly common in stunted forested habitats in the upper subtropical and temperate zone in the Andes. Sluggish; perches quietly in the middle levels of the forest, sometimes following a mixed-species flock. May be seen singly or in pairs, but several can gather around a fruiting tree. Listen for super high-pitched calls.

Lorentz's Whistler

Lorentz's Whistler

Pachycephala lorentzi

A medium-sized bird of montane forest. Male and female look the same. Yellow belly, olive back, dark gray head, pale gray breast and whitish throat. Very similar to Vogelkop Whistler which does not co-occur. Similar to the female Regent Whistler, but Lorentz’s has a plain gray rather than scaled throat and a gray rather than olive chest. Typical whistler song with forceful, up-and-down whistled notes, some with an explosive quality.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.