Brown-throated Wattle-eye
Platysteira cyanea
Small black-and-white bird with a bright red patch of bare skin above the eye. Males have a black breast band, and females a brown throat. Found in thick woodland, gallery forest, and mangroves. The song is usually given as a duet: a descending series of melancholy whistles from the male, and lower rasping notes from the female. Similar to Black-throated Wattle-eye, but shows a white slash on the wing, and the female has a brown rather than white throat. Separated from batises by the red wattle and, in females, by the brown throat.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Platysteira cyanea
- Authority
- (Müller, PLS, 1776)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Platysteiridae
- Genus
- Platysteira
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Imperial Cormorant
Leucocarbo atriceps
Very striking cormorant readily identified by white neck. Locally common black-and-white cormorant of colder coastal waters. Often seen perched on inshore rocks and jetties, sometimes with Magellanic Cormorant. Nests colonially on low islands (rarely in lakes inland from coast) and jetties. Plumage varies regionally, with some birds black-faced and others white-faced; the two types breed together locally in the Strait of Magellan. Immature resembles adult but plumage duller overall, brownish above.
Tawny-capped Euphonia
Euphonia anneae
Small finchlike bird, compact and short tailed. Generally yellow below and dark blue-black above with stout, short bill. To identify male euphonias, focus on crown and throat: on Tawny-capped, crown is entirely russet-orange and throat is dark. Female shows a more limited orangey forehead, which narrows down the options. Also note grayish (not olive or brown) belly. Often in pairs or small flocks with males, which makes identification easier. Frequents forested habitats and edges. Can form mixed feeding flocks with other species such as warblers and tanagers.
Cactus Wren
Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Large, boldly-marked wren of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Look especially for bold white eyebrow and dense spots on underparts. Aptly named, this wren rarely strays from desert scrub with plentiful cactus, usually with areas of open ground. Typically seen in pairs or family groups, which are often quite vocal and conspicuous. Builds a large oval stick nest. Listen for harsh, grating calls.
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