California Gnatcatcher
Polioptila californica
Small, long-tailed songbird; similar to other gnatcatchers but darker gray overall. Male has black cap; female shows brownish tones to plumage. Underside of tail helpful in identification: almost entirely black with narrow white edges; much less white than both Black-tailed and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Very restricted range; found in shrubby sagebrush chaparral, usually in pairs. Listen for harsh scolding calls.
识别特征
The male California gnatcatcher is dusky gray overall, distinguished only by its black crown and thin black beak. It has a long, thin black tail with narrow white tips and edges on the underside of the tail feathers. However, the male loses its plumage colors by winter and obtains a plumage color similar to the females. The female is similar to the male, but with a blue-gray instead of a black crown.<p>In its range from coastal Southern California south through Baja California and Baja California Sur, this inconspicuous non-migratory resident is most often seen flitting hastily into undergrowth, or heard giving its call, which sounds like a kitten's meow, a rising and falling zeeeeer, zeeeeer.
分类信息
- 学名
- Polioptila californica
- 命名信息
- Brewster, 1881
- 目
- Passeriformes
- 科
- Polioptilidae
- 属
- Polioptila
分布与栖息地
In the main part of its range on the Baja California peninsula, the California gnatcatcher inhabits a variety of dry habitats including the Baja California desert and Gulf of California xeric scrub. On the northwest edge of its distribution in the states of Baja California and California, it is entirely restricted to coastal sage scrub.<p>In the northern part of its range (Southern California) this species was listed as Threatened by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1993 due to increasing development in its habitat, coastal sage scrub (current loss of coastal sage scrub in U.S. is estimated at 70 to 90 percent). Critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act has been designated for the California gnatcatcher. This species is especially vulnerable as a metapopulation due to its small populations in a limited habitat often live in the prime land to be developed for housing and commerce that can be easily isolated and reduced in size.<p>Though some of its habitat has been saved in public conservation lands such as state parks, its population has been severely fragmented. There are, however, ongoing efforts to preserve more open land in southern California to help ensure that this species will not disappear from its former range. California gnatcatchers are a focal species in many regional habitat conservation planning efforts.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- declining
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Speckle-throated Woodpecker
Campethera scriptoricauda
An attractive medium-sized woodpecker with an olive-green back and spotted pale underparts. Males have a red crown, nape, and moustache streak, while females have a black crown, a red nape, and a black-and-white moustache streak. Both sexes have a streaked black patch behind the eye. Found in savanna and woodland, including miombo. Very similar to Bennett’s Woodpecker, but there is little overlap in range; note Reichenow’s darker face. Females are further distinguished by their lack of brown cheek and throat patches. Fairly similar to Golden-tailed and Mombasa Woodpeckers, but distinguished by the spotted rather than striped breast. The vocalizations include burry nasal churring and whooping notes, often given by a group in chorus.
Northern Carmine Bee-eater
Merops nubicus
Large and gorgeous bee-eater with a mostly carmine body, and blue-green head and belly. The central tail feathers are elongated. In flight, reveals a blue-green rump, and rosy underwings with black trailing edge. Found in a variety of savanna habitats. Usually in flocks, and breeds colonially in riverbanks. Often perches on the backs of mammals and large birds, catching the insects that they disturb. The call is low-pitched and raspy, less musical than most bee-eaters. Similar to Southern Carmine Bee-eater, but there is virtually no overlap in range, and easily separated by the blue-green rather than carmine throat.
Buff-spotted Woodpecker
Pardipicus nivosus
A small, relatively dark woodpecker of humid forest. Mostly dark olive-green with a paler face and underparts. The throat is streaked, the breast is spotted, and the belly is barred. Males have a small red patch on the back of the head. Found in rainforest and thick secondary forest at low and middle elevations. Spends most of its time at middle levels and in the understory. Similar to Brown-eared Woodpecker, but smaller, without a dark cheek patch. Also reminiscent of Green-backed and Little Green Woodpeckers, but separated by the spotted rather than barred breast. Not very vocal, but does give a descending, mournful whistle.
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