Copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Whiskered Tern
Latin: Chlidonias hybridus
Other: Guifette Moustac (Fr) • Fumarel cariblanco (Es) • Mignattino piombato (It)
Family: Laridae • Terns
Range: Widespread Africa, Eurasia, Asia, Australasia.

The Whiskered Tern is the largest of the Marsh Terns. More often seen in ones and twos than in large groups. They were very common in some areas of the Danube Delta in May, which is when they return to Europe from Africa.

Whiskered Terns often hover over rivers and lakes with their head down looking for fish. The main confusion species where I saw them in the Danube Delta and Nice was the Common Tern, which is whiter below has a longer, pointier, redder bill with black tip and long tail feathers. The Whiskered Tern in breeding plumage is sooty below, with dark red bill and legs, and short tail.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Nice, France • Jan 2009

Bird name: Northern Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus vanellus
Other: Lapwing • Vanneau Huppé (Fr) • Kiebitz (De) • Avefría europea (Es) • Abibe-comum (Pt)
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwing
Range: Widespread Eurasia to China, North Africa. Breeds Scandinavia, Russia, Mongolia etc.

I saw the flock of Northern Lapwing below in the middle of the Var in Nice in the winter. The flock seemed to fly in a linear pattern. Also seen on banks in the Danube Delta, above, in May. The Northern Lapwing develops long head feathers in breeding plumage. Some greenish sheen to feathers. White and black below.

More photos...

Copyright: AS/monacoeye • Tanzania Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Ruff
Latin: Philomachus pugnax
Other: Combatente (Pt) • Combattant varié (Fr) • Kampfläufer (De) • Combatiente (Es) • Combattente (It)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: Breeds in Eurasia, winters S&W Europe, Africa, S Asia, Australia

I believe these are Ruff. Above in Tanzania, October, below (in more photos) in Danube Delta, May. The male in breeding plumage (not pictured here) is quite spectacular.

Orange legs protrude past tail in flight.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Clay Colored Thrush
Latin: Turdus grayi
Other: Clay-coloured Thrush (UK), Clay-colored Robin (US), Yigüirro (Es)
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes
Range: South Texas to Northern Colombia including Panama, Costa Rica etc

The Clay-colored Thrush is the national bird of Costa Rica. It is common in Panama, including around habitations, and one of the most frequently seen birds. A typical garden or park bird.

The Clay-colored Thrush is generally brown and differentiated from other similar thrushes by its red irises and light bill.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Mountain Thrush
Latin: Turdus plebejus
Other:
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes
Range: Southern Mexico to western Panama

I only saw these Mountain Thrushes in the high mountain forest in western Panama, where they were not uncommon but neither were they very approachable, generally flying soon after making eye-contact.

The above picture is a subadult. Mountain thrushes are generally brown with lighter underparts. Dark eyes and bill. Attractive song. Where I was, their habitat didn’t overlap with the Clay-colored Thrush.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Chiriqui, Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Ruddy Capped Nightingale Thrush
Latin: Catharus frantzii
Other:
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes
Range: Central Mexico to Western Panama

The Ruddy Capped Nightingale Thrush is a small mountain thrush, one of the more frequently seen birds in the forested mountains above Los Quetzales in Panama, and has an attractive song.

Ruddy brownish, which extends over cap, lighter underneath.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Faced Solitaire
Latin: Myadestes melanops
Other:
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes
Range: Mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama

The high mountain forests above Los Quetzales in Chiriqui resound to the entrancing, mystical sounds of the Black-faced Solitaire. Listening to recordings on the internet doesn’t do the song justice (eg here), because the frequencies can’t be captured with recording equipment and mp3.

The closest description I could give would be an aeolian harp or someone playing “wine glasses” by rubbing a wet finger around the rims of half-filled glasses. It is a high-pitched sound which carries, but also rich with deep tones. This ethereal song transforms the forest into a place of mystery - the first time I heard it I couldn’t believe that a bird could be the origin.

Although its song is often heard, I only saw a Black-faced Solitaire once. It is differentiated from other thrushes by its orange bill and legs, with dark iris and no orange eye-ring. It is dark grey with some white on wing and black face. Pictured below is a tree-trunk in which it was making a nest.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Chiriqui, Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Long Tailed Silky Flycatcher
Latin: Ptilogonys caudatus
Other:
Family: Ptilogonatidae • Silky Flycatchers
Range: Mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama

The Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher was relatively easy to spot near habitations in the Chiriqui highlands, but generally kept its distance, settling in the top branches of tall trees. They were always in pairs, the male having a greyer chest.

The Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher is instantly recognisable by its crest and long tail. Now placed in a small family of its own.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black and Yellow Phainoptila
Latin: Phainoptila melanoxantha
Other: Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatcher
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes
Range: Mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama

The more common name for the Black-and-yellow Phainoptila was Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatcher but Phainoptila is the name adopted by the IOC.

I only saw this one Black-and-yellow Phainoptila in Chiriqui, so considerably less numerous that its relative the Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher.

More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Silver Gull
Latin: Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
Other:
Family: Laridae • Gulls
Range: Australia

The Silver Gull is the most common gull in Australia. The adult has a red bill, subadult have black bills.

Many thanks to Tania for providing this great set of photos from Perth.

More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Australian Ringneck
Latin: Barnardius zonarius
Other:
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots
Range: Australia

An abundant parrot in Perth, relatively tame in parks. The red band above the bill and green belly differentiates this subspecies found in Western Australia from others in Australia.
More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Rainbow Lorikeet
Latin: Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus
Other:
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots
Range: Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu

Rainbow Lorikeets seen here in Perth, where they have been introduced, and seem to be very common, taking some habitat from the Australian Ringneck. They are native to eastern Australia.More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Little Corella
Latin: Cacatua sanguinea
Other: Bare-eyed Cockatoo
Family: Cacatuidae • Cockatoos
Range: Australia, New Guinea

A Little Corella in Perth.More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Willie Wagtail
Latin: Rhipidura leucophrys
Other: Willy Wagtail
Family: Rhipiduridae • Fantails
Range: Australia, New Guinea

Willie Wagtail is not a true Wagtail but a fantail. Widespread across Australia.More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Bronzewing
Latin: Phaps chalcoptera
Other:
Family: Columbidae • Pigeons
Range: Australia

Gorgeous colours on the wing of this Common Bronzewing. Seen here in Perth, but common in Australia.More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Red Wattlebird
Latin: Anthochaera carunculata
Other: Barkingbird or Gillbird
Family: Meliphagidae • Honeyeaters
Range: Australia

The Red Wattlebird was one of the more common birds around Perth. In the photo below you can see how this honeyeater uses its long curved bill (and tongue) to collect nectar from bell shaped flowers. The pollen seems to collect above its bill.More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Australian Darter
Latin: Anhinga novaehollandiae
Other:
Family: Anhingidae • Anhingas
Range: Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea

A pair of Australian Darters with chick at nest in Perth. Above, the male is to the left with black neck and chestnut patch (breeding plumage), and the female to the right with white neck.More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Little Pied Cormorant
Latin: Microcarbo melanoleucos
Other: Little Shag (NZ), Kawaupaka
Family: Phalacrocoracidae • Cormorants
Range: Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia

A Little Pied Cormorant in Australia.

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Silvereye
Latin: Zosterops lateralis
Other: Wax-eye
Family: Zosteropidae • White Eyes
Range: Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands

A Silvereye in Perth.

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Pacific Black Duck
Latin: Anas superciliosa
Other:
Family: Anatidae • Ducks
Range: Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand etc

A Pacific Black Duck resting on the dock.

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Wedge Tailed Eagle
Latin: Aquila audax
Other:
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: Australia
Similar:

This young Wedge Tailed Eagle was, I understand, recovered from captivity and an attempt was made at rehabilitation but it was too tame to release.

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Bush Stone Curlew
Latin: Burhinus grallarius
Other:
Family: Burhinidae • Stone Curlews
Range: Australia

A couple of Bush Stone Curlews in Perth.

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Emu
Latin: Dromaius novaehollandiae
Other:
Family: Dromaiidae • Emu
Range: Australia

An Emu seen in parkland in Perth. Emus are the second largest bird still existing (after the ostrich).

Emus are ratites, flightless birds that diverged genetically from other birds in Gondwana, early in the history of birds, about 100 million years ago.More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Buff Banded Rail
Latin: Gallirallus philippensis
Other:
Family: Rallidae • Rails
Range: Australia

A Buff-banded Rail scurrying away in Perth.

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Australian Magpie
Latin: Gymnorhina tibicen
Other:
Family: Cracticidae • Butcherbirds
Range: Australia, New Guinea

The Australian Magpie, a type of Butcherbird, seems pretty common in Australia. There are various subspecies, and hybrids of these, with different amounts of white on back,. Seen here in Perth.

More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Magpie Lark
Latin: Grallina cyanoleuca
Other:
Family: Monarchidae • Monarchs
Range: Australia

Record shots of a Magpie Lark.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • France, December 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Redstart
Latin: Phoenicurus ochruros
Other: Rouge Queue Noir (Fr), Colirrojo tizón (Es), Codirosso spazzacamino (It), Hausrotschwanz (De), Rabirruivo-preto (Pt)
Family: Muscicapidae • Flycatchers
Range: Europe, Asia, North Africa

Male, above, and female or immature below. The Black Redstart is one of the more common birds along the Mediterranean coast, especially in winter.

Black Redstarts like to stand on relative high points, like rocks, posts or the apex of rooftops and bob up and down.

Males are mostly dark grey, blackish around the eye and throat with russet tail, and some white on wings. Females and immatures are plainer and mousier and can be confused with the similar Common Redstart in the summer.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • France, December 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Firecrest
Latin: Regulus ignicapilla
Other: Firecrest • Roitelet à triple bandeau (Fr), Reyezuelo listado (Es), Fiorrancino (It)
Family: Regulidae • Goldcrests
Range: Europe into Turkey

The Firecrest is a superb little bird, which I have only recently discovered. December seems to be a good time to see them in this part of the Mediterranean coast in southeast France.

Firecrests are very small chubby birds, with big white bellies, small tails and no visible neck. They have a characteristic yellow or orange stripe, between two black stripes, on the crown, and a dash of orange above the bill. The broad white supercilium which extends back from the eye differentiates them from the otherwise very similar Goldcrest. Backs are greenish yellow.

This bird was working Holm Oaks, seemingly checking every branch and leaf, presumably for small insects. He was not too wary, and continued feeding in one tree, despite my presence, only moving on when he had finished the whole tree.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Chiriqui, May 2010

Bird name: Yellow-winged Vireo
Latin: Vireo carmioli
Other:
Family: Vireonidae • Vireos
Range: Costa Rica and western Panama

An endearingly curious small bird, the Yellow-winged Vireo can only be found in the western highlands of Panama and in Costa Rica.

Two yellow wing-bars, pale yellow under eye, broad supercilium, pale yellow underneath.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Lagoa do Peixe • Nov 2009

Bird name: Masked Gnatcatcher
Latin: Polioptila dumicola
Other: Balança-rabo-de-máscara (Br) • Tacuarita azul (Es)
Family: Polioptilidae • Gnatcatchers
Range: North Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and south and central Brazil

The individual pictured is a female Masked Gnatcatcher, since she only has a dark patch behind the eye, not a full dark mask, and she has light, not dark, underparts.

This Masked Gnatcatcher seemed to be interested in the small plants (mosses?) growing on this fruit (fig?) tree, where she will have found small insects. Often cocks tail (below in “more photos”).More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Tropical Gnatcatcher
Latin: Polioptila plumbea
Other:
Family: Polioptilidae • Gnatcatchers
Range: South Mexico to Peru and northeast Brazil

A few views of Tropical Gnatcatchers from Panama. These individuals have black markings near the bill and chin, unlike the illustrations in Ridgely and Gwynne which have a white face. Otherwise Tropical Gnatcatchers are generally white below and dark above, with a black line behind eye meeting black cap.

These are small fast moving birds, working the branches of large trees.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Long Billed Gnatwren
Latin: Ramphocaenus melanurus
Other:
Family: Polioptilidae • Gnatcatchers
Range: Southeast Mexico through Amazonia

There’s no mistaking the Long-billed Gnatwren, which has a very long bill and mostly buffy underparts. It also has a long thin tail, which is often cocked, like other gnatcatchers.

Not that easy to see. We spotted this one in Metropolitan Park in Panama City.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • El Valle, April 2010

Bird name: Yellow Green Vireo
Latin: Vireo flavoviridis
Other:
Family: Vireonidae • Vireos
Range: Widespread Middle America, also S Texas

The Yellow-Green Vireo in Panama, seen here in El Valle.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Chiriqui, May 2010

Bird name: Brown Capped Vireo
Latin: Vireo leucophrys
Other:
Family: Vireonidae • Vireos
Range: Mexico to N Bolivia

The Brown-capped Vireo has a thin pointed bill and brown cap. I saw this one in the forest above the Los Quetzales lodge in Chiriqui, Panama. In Panama, the Brown-capped Vireo only found in the western highlands.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Gamboa, Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Plain Wren
Latin: Cantorchilus modestus
Other:
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Southern Mexico to Central Panama
Similar:

A male and female Plain Wren, according to the guide, though I couldn’t tell you which was which. I think these are differentiated from the other similar wrens by the relatively faint barring on wings and tail.

We saw Plain Wrens several times near the Ammo Dump in the Canal zone of central Panama. But often only a fleeting glimpse. Often heard.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Itatiaia, Brazil, November 2009

Bird name: House Wren
Latin: Troglodytes aedon
Other: Corruíra-de-casa (Br) • Curucucha (Es) • Troglodytes aedon musculus
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Widespread Americas
Similar:

The House Wren is found throughout the Americas. The musculus subspecies pictured above is called the Southern House Wren, and sometimes viewed as a separate species.

The House Wren is a great garden bird, with an attractive song. It is not shy and much easier to see than its European counterpart. I saw it in most habitats I visited in Brazil.

Still easily observed in central Panama (lowest two photos), around the hotels, but seemed to be a little less confiding than in Brazil.




Below, photo from Panama.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Rufous Breasted Wren
Latin: Pheugopedius rutilus
Other: Thryothorus rutilus
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela
Similar:

I saw the Rufous Breasted Wren several times in Panama, but as with most other wrens he was very difficult to photograph.

The bird pictured above was singly clearly and merrily at the Logo de Volcan in Chiriqui, and approached when I mimicked his calls, but moved quickly in dense foliage.

The Rufous-breasted Wren is identified by its orangey-cinnamon underparts and black and white speckled throat.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Bay Wren
Latin: Cantorchilus nigricapillus
Other:
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador
Similar:


We got a brief glimpse of this Bay Wren in El Valle in Panama. The Bay Wren is fairly easy to differentiate from other wrens in Panama by its black facial markings, including thin black malar stripe. Chestnut underparts.

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: White Breasted Wood Wren
Latin: Henicorhina leucosticta
Other:
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Mexico to Peru & northern Brazil
Similar:

There are dozens of photography sites out there which specialise in hummingbirds, but I’ve never seen a photographer who specialises in wren photography! Wrens are fascinating birds, but more often heard than seen. They are often only a few yards away from forest paths, and yet so well hidden that they remain unseen.

This White-breasted Wood Wren was seen on Plantation Rd near Canopy Tower in Panama, but didn’t provide much of a photo opportunity.

The White-breasted Wood Wren is differentiated from the similar Grey-breasted Wood Wren by its mostly white underparts.

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Ochraceous Wren
Latin: Troglodytes ochraceus
Other:
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Costa Rica, Panama
Similar:

Just a brief and blurry glimpse of this Ochraceous Wren in El Valle, Panama. Brownish.

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Buff Breasted Wren
Latin: Cantorchilus leucotis
Other:
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guianas, Brazil
Similar:

The Buff-Breasted Wren looks similar to the Plain Wren but has buffier chest and stronger markings on the wings.

They were seen or heard several times around the Gamboa Rainforest Resort but it was nigh on impossible to get a photo as they hid in reeds.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Northern Waterthrush
Latin: Seiurus noveboracensis
Other:
Family: Parulidae • New World Warblers
Range: Canada, north USA migrating to south USA and Central America

Just a record shot of this migrant Northern Waterthrush in Panama.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Canopy Tower, April 2010

Bird name: Green Shrike Vireo
Latin: Vireolanius pulchellus
Other:
Family: Vireonidae • Vireos
Range: SE Mexico to Panama

Just a record shot of a Green Shrike-Vireo spotted from the observation deck of the Canopy Tower in central Panama. Note the vivid green plumage.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pipeline Rd, Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Red Capped Manakin
Latin: Dixiphia mentalis
Other: Pipra mentalis
Family: Pipridae • Manakins
Range: SE Mexico to W Ecuador

The Red-capped Manakin males above were shuffling along their branch, “doing the moonwalk”, as part of their courtship in order to be selected by a female. Adult males have red heads, white irises, yellow thighs, and black bodies.

Females Red-capped Manakins are predominantly olive-green - one presumed below in “more photos”.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • El Valle, Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Lance Tailed Manakin
Latin: Chiroxiphia lanceolata
Other:
Family: Pipridae • Manakins
Range: SW Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, N Venezuela

The Lance-tailed Manakin adult male has a red cap, bright blue shoulders and orange legs - the rest black. The individual above is a subadult male seen in El Valle de Anton in Panama.

Below (in more photos) a glimpse of an adult male Lance-tailed Manakin. Females are greenish, with orange legs and also have the long central tail feathers.

Seen in El Valle, Panama.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pipeline Rd, Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Blue Crowned Manakin
Latin: Lepidothrix coronata
Other:
Family: Pipridae • Manakins
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, NW Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil

I only saw female Blue-crowned Manakins in Panama. They are distinguished from other female manakins by their bright green colour. Other female manakins tend to be olive green.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Finca Hartmann, Panama, May 2010

Bird name: White Ruffed Manakin
Latin: Corapipo altera
Other:
Family: Pipridae • Manakins
Range: Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama

Just a glimpse of a female White-ruffed Manakin at the Finca Hartmann in Chiriqui, western Panama. They are greenish mostly with a whitish-grey throat area. Males are glossy blue black all over with a strongly demarcated white throat.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pipeleine Rd, Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Golden Collared Manakin
Latin: Manacus vitellinus
Other:
Family: Pipridae • Manakins
Range: Western Panama to western Colombia

The female Golden-collared Manakin above was seen in El Valle de Anton in Panama. A very poor shot of the male below with his beautiful golden yellow collar. The male manakins dart around a lot in their leks, whereas the females tend to be far more stationary, and are thus much easier to photograph.

Both sexes have orange legs, the female Lance-tailed Manakin is differentiated by longer central tail feathers.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • El Valle, Panama • April 2010

Bird name: Bright Rumped Attila
Latin: Attila spadiceus
Other: Polymorphic Attila
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: West Mexico through Amazonia, E Brazil

This Bright-rumped Attila was seen in the Metropolitan Park in Panama City.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Itatiaia, RJ • Nov 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Tailed Tityra
Latin: Tityra cayana
Other: Anambé-branco-de-rabo-preto (Br)
Family: Tityridae • Tityras
Range: Widespread South America

The female Black-tailed Tityra, above, has streaked chest and grey-brown cap whereas the male, pictured below, is white underneath with black cap. Both have red skin around the eyes.

These photos are of the nominate cayana subspecies of Black-tailed Tityra, seen here in Itatiaia in the Brazilian Mata Atlantica. The female of other subspecies, Tityra cayana brasiliensis, has a dark cap like the male.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Ammo Ponds, Panama • April 2010

Bird name: Masked Tityra
Latin: Tityra semifasciata
Other: Titira enmascarado (Es), Puerquito
Family: Tityridae • Tityras
Range: Mexico to Southern Amazonia

We saw these Masked Tityras at the Ammo Ponds in central Panama. Above looks like a female and below (in “more photos”) possibly a juvenile or female? Adult males have white backs and crowns - no brown.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Ammo Ponds, Panama • April 2010

Bird name: Black Crowned Tityra
Latin: Tityra inquisitor
Other: Eastern Mexico to northeast Argentina
Family: Tityridae • Tityras
Range:

The Black-Crowned Tityras lack the red ocular skin and bill colouring of the Masked Tityra. Male Black-Crowned Tityras (above) are largely black and white, with black head above the eye. Directly below (in “more photos”), I think, is a female with chestnut sides to head.

These Black-Crowned Tityras were also seen at the Ammo Ponds in central Panama.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Chiriqui, Panama • May 2010

Bird name: Barred Becard
Latin: Pachyramphus versicolor
Other:
Family: Tityridae • Becards
Range: Costa Rica and western Panama, then Colombia, NW Bolivia and NW Venezuela

The Barred Becard male, above, is black and white with yellow on face and throat. The female, below, has a slate grey cap, brown on wings, and barred yellow underparts.

I saw these individuals in the highland forests of Chiriqui in western Panama.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • El Valle, Panama • April 2010

Bird name: White Winged Becard
Latin: Pachyramphus polychopterus
Other:
Family: Tityridae • Becards
Range: Guatemala to Uruguay

The adult male White-winged Becard is light underneath with black and white on wings, black top of head, tail and back. The female is browner with yellow underneath.

These White-winged Becards were seen in central Panama.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Gamboa, Panama • April 2010

Bird name: Cinnamon Becard
Latin: Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
Other:
Family: Tityridae • Becards
Range: Southeast Mexico to northwest Ecuador

We saw this Cinnamon Becard near the Gamboa Rainforest Resort.

Both male and female Cinnamon Becards are cinnamon all over, pale underneath and pale supraloral.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Canopy Tower, Panama • April 2010

Bird name: Blue Cotinga
Latin: Cotinga nattererii
Other:
Family: Cotingidae • Cotingas
Range: Central Panama through Colombia to nw Ecuador and w Venezuela.

Do you see that tiny blue spot right in the centre of the photo? Standing on the crest of a pale green tree? Trust me it is there, and it is a beautiful Blue Cotinga. See below for the proof!

I would never have seen him, but our eagle-eyed guide spotted him from the observation roof of the Canopy Tower, in central Panama, and we had a good view through his scope.

The female Blue Cotinga is brown and rather dove-like.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Crested Becard
Latin: Pachyramphus validus
Other: Plain Becard • Caneleiro-de-chapéu-preto (Br)
Family: Tityridae • Becards
Range: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru

The Crested Becard is a South-American bird, its range extending to Argentina and Peru and most of Brazil. These individuals were seen in the south of Brazil near Lagoa do Peixe and in Ubatuba.

Both male and female have a dark grey crest, giving them a spiky haired look, but the remaining upperside feathers on the male are also dark grey whereas the female is mostly rufous. They are pale buffish on the underside.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Chestnut Crowned Becard
Latin: Pachyramphus castaneus
Other: Caneleiro (Br)
Family: Tityridae • Becards
Range: Widespread South America

There are roughly two distinct populations of Chestnut-crowned Becard in South-America. The southeastern one is mostly found in Brazil in the southeast. The Chestnut-crowned Becard was fairly common in Itatiaia, where these individuals were seen.

The Chestnut-crowned Becard is mostly rufous, with a greyish band running behind the eyes round the back of the head and greyish lores. The cap is a deeper chestnut colour, the bill is dark. My individuals had greyish or light patches near the base of the back and wings (see below). They often seemed to duck down, keeping a low profile.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • El Valle, Panama • April 2010

Bird name: Bran Colored Flycatcher
Latin: Myiophobus fasciatus
Other: Bran-Coloured Flycatcher • Filipe (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Costa Rica to Argentina

The Bran-coloured Flycatcher has a brown head and cape, darker lower down the wings where two wingbars are visible. Underneath, the chest and upper belly is streaked.

Above, seen in El Valle, Panama. Lowest photo (in “more photos”) is from Ubatuba in Brazil, showing more streaking on the chest and stronger markings.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Chiriqui, May 2010

Bird name: Mountain Elaenia
Latin: Elaenia frantzii
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Elaenias
Range: Guatemala to Venezuela

The Mountain Elaenia was the most common flycatcher around the Los Quetzales lodge in Chiriqui. Birds often came to feed on berries of fruiting trees beside the hotel. Also seen elsewhere in Chiriqui.


More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Chiriqui, May 2010

Bird name: Yellowish Flycatcher
Latin: Empidonax flavescens
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Southeast Mexico to western Panama highlands

The Yellowish Flycatcher is identifiable by its prominent eye-ring. It is yellowish below and has two wing bars. This individual was low in the canopy and not too wary - typical for the Yellowish Flycatcher - so I could focus.

In Panama found only in the western highlands.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Central Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Yellow Bellied Elaenia
Latin: Elaenia flavogaster
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Elaenias
Range: Southern Mexico to Argentina

The Yellow-bellied Elaenia is distinguished by a shock of unkempt hair, or crest, which always seems raised.

Yellow-bellied Elaenias were seen several times, near the Chagres River and Gamboa Rainforest Resort, in Summit Gardens, and El Valle in Cocle Province, Panama.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Chiriqui, May 2010

Bird name: Black Phoebe
Latin: Sayornis nigricans
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Southwest USA to northwest Argentina. Panama highlands.
Similar: Dark Pewee

The Black Phoebe is dark with white belly, and often found near streams. Seen here near the river at the Los Quetzales lodge and up the road at Cerro Punta.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Panamanian Flycatcher
Latin: Myiarchus panamensis
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela

The Panamanian Flycatcher was one of the more common flycatchers in many locations in Panama.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pipeline Road, April 2010

Bird name: Forest Elaenia
Latin: Myiopagis gaimardii
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Elaenias
Range: Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guianas, Bolivia, Brazil.

We saw this Forest Elaenia on Pipeline Road in central Panama.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • El Valle, April 2010

Bird name: Dusky Capped Flycatcher
Latin: Myiarchus tuberculifer
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Flycatchers
Range: USA, Arizona, Texas, to Argentina

The Dusky Capped Flycatcher has a light grey throat area, dark cap and yellow underneath. This individual was seen in the highlands of El Valle de Anton in Panama.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Cerro Azul, Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Lesser Elaenia
Latin: Elaenia chiriquensis
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Elaenias
Range: Costa Rica to Argentina

I saw the above Lesser Elaenia in central Panama, in Cerro Azul. Then another in El Valle.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Common Tody Flycatcher
Latin: Todirostrum cinereum
Other: Black-fronted Tody-Flycatcher • Espatulilla Común (Es) • Ferreirinho (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tody Flycatchers
Range: Mexico to Brazil

The Common Tody Flycatcher doesn’t mind nesting in bushes in gardens and near houses, and was easy to see in Panama.

The Common Tody Flycatcher is a small bird, yellow below and black above with pale iris with broad bill. It makes a pendulous nest with side entrance. This nest was in a small tree beside a hotel forecourt.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Chiriqui & El Valle May 2010

Bird name: Northern Tufted Flycatcher
Latin: Mitrephanes phaeocercus
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Mexico to Ecuador, highlands

I saw these Northern Tufted Flycatchers in Panama in the Chiriqui highlands and in Valle de Anton in Panama. One deep in the forest, the other in open country above the path.

The El Valle bird seemed yellower and the Chiriqui bird, below in “more photos”, more pinkish. The main identifying feature for this small flycatcher is its prominent raised tuft.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Brownish Twistwing
Latin: Cnipodectes subbrunneus
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Panama, Colombia, Ecuado, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil

We saw this Brownish Twistwing briefly on the Pipeline Road, in Panama. Chocolate brown, lighter underneath.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Southern Beardless Tyrannulet
Latin: Camptostoma obsoletum
Other: Risadinha (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrannulets
Range: Costa Rica to Brazil, Argentina

The Southern Beardless-tyrannulet is found throughout Brazil and much of Latin America.

Above, a Southern Beardless-tyrannulet from Panama, with yellowish belly and olive-green back.

Below, in “more photos”, from southern Brazil - greyer underparts and less yellow-green.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • El Valle May 2010

Bird name: Brown Capped Tyrannulet
Latin: Ornithion brunneicapillus
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela

The Brown-capped Tyrannulet has a brown cap and white supercilium which runs round the front of its head. Yellow underparts, olive green upperparts.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama City, April 2010

Bird name: Sulphur Bellied Flycatcher
Latin: Myiodynastes luteiventris
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Arizona to Costa Rica, migrating to Colombia to Brazil, via Panama etc.
Similar: Streaked Flycatcher

The Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher looks very similar to the Streaked Flycatcher, which is much more common in Panama.

The Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher is differentiated by a yellower belly and dark malar stripe which forms a black chinstrap below the bill. Feathers under the tail are not streaked.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Chiriqui & El Valle May 2010

Bird name: Southern Bentbill
Latin: Oncostoma olivaceum
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Panama and Colombia
Similar: Northern Bentbill

The Southern Bentbill is an odd looking bird, with an unusually large, thick, curved bill, as its name suggests.

The Southern Bentbill has yellow-olive underparts and lives in central and eastern panama, while the Northern Bentbill has a greyish throat and lives in western Panama.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Chiriqui & El Valle May 2010

Bird name: Black Capped Pygmy Tyrant
Latin: Myiornis atricapillus
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador

The Black-capped Pygmy Tyrant really is a tiny bird. In fact the smallest passerine in Panama. It has almost no tail, a black cap, white around eye, light underneath, and yellowish upperparts.

We saw this Black-Capped Pygmy Tyrant on the Pipeline Road in central Panama.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • El Valle, Panama, April 2010

Bird name: White Throated Spadebill
Latin: Platyrinchus mystaceus
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Costa Rica, Panama to Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil

This White-throated Spadebill had made its nest right beside the path, in the forked stem of young tree. The canopy was very dark and wet, even at midday.

The White-throated Spadebill is differentiated from other Spadebills in Panama by its white throat. A very small bird. Seen in the highlands of El Valle.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • El Valle May 2010

Bird name: Pale Eyed Pygmy Tyrant
Latin: Atalotriccus pilaris
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil

Another record shot of a small bird in an unhelpful pose! The Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant has pale irises, light underparts, faint streaking on chest, quite a long thin bill.

We saw this Pale-Eyed Pygmy Tyrant in El Valle de Anton in west-central Panama.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Chiriqui & El Valle May 2010

Bird name: Ochre Bellied Flycatcher
Latin: Mionectes oleagineus
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Mexico to Brazil

A couple of record shots an Ochre-bellied Flycatcher in Panama, recognisable by its ochre belly.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • El Valle May 2010

Bird name: Olive Striped Flycatcher
Latin: Mionectes olivaceus
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

Just a record shot of this Olive-striped Flycatcher seen in the El Valle highlands in Panama.

The Olive-striped Flycatcher has streaked underparts, with a quite long thin bill and conspicuous white spot behind the eye.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Chiriqui & El Valle May 2010

Bird name: Piratic Flycatcher
Latin: Mitrephanes phaeocercus
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Mexico to Argentina, Brazil

We saw Piratic Flycatchers fairly often in Panama, but they were often in tall trees and moved off fairly quickly. They have streaked chests, and dark mask, but are much smaller than the Streaked Flycatcher, with short bills.

They take the nests of Orependolas, Caciques, Panamanian Flycatchers etc. driving away the original inhabitants.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pipeline Rd, Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Golden Crowned Spadebill
Latin: Platyrinchus coronatus
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Nicaragua to Brazil

Just one brief view of this Golden-crowned Spadebill. It is a very small bird, with hardly any tail, but a wide bill. Black vertical bands on the face below the eye and chestnut cap.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Black Headed Tody Flycatcher
Latin: Todirostrum nigriceps
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tody Flycatchers
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.

Just a record shot of the Black-headed Tody Flycatcher in Panama. It is a tiny bird, which likes to stay at the top of tall trees so very difficult to photograph!

The Black-headed Tody Flycatcher is yellow below, dark above but with white throat.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Boat Billed Flycatcher
Latin: Megarynchus pitangua
Other: Neinei (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Mexico to Brazil
Similar: Great Kiskadee

The Boat-billed Flycatcher is similar to the Great Kiskadee but has a larger, wider bill and is not so rufous. The Boat-billed Flycatcher has an olive tone to its upperparts.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Eastern Wood Pewee
Latin: Contopus virens
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Breeds in North America, migrates to South America.

The Eastern Wood-pewee has two wing bars, is light underneath and has a long wingtips. Seen here in Central Panama in late April, migrating northwards presumably.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Lesser Kiskadee
Latin: Philohydor lictor
Other: Pitangus lictor • Bem-te-vizinho (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Panama to Brazil
Similar: Social Flycatcher, Rusty-Margined Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee

These Lesser Kiskadees were seen together alighting on narrow branches above a shady brook at the Ammo Ponds in central Panama. They are usually seen in pairs and near water.

They look very similar to the Rusty Margined Flycatcher, but have longer more pointed bills than the latter.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Eastern Kingbird
Latin: Tyrannus tyrannus
Other:
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: North America, migrating to South America, via Panama etc

These Eastern Kingbirds were migrating northwards when we saw them in central Panama in April. More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Brazil, Nov 09 - Panama, Dec 10

Bird name: Social Flycatcher
Latin: Myiozetetes similis
Other: Vermilion-crowned Flycatcher • Bentevizinho-de-penacho-vermelho (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Mexico to northeast Argentina

The Social Flycatcher is a bit smaller and slighter than the superficially similar Great Kiskadee. The Social Flycatcher has a more curved culmen (top part of bill) and smaller bill. The white band does not complete all the way round its head.

The Social Flycatcher can be found in much of Latin America and most of Brazil. The lowest photo in “more photos” is from Panama. More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Rusty Margined Flycatcher
Latin: Myiozetetes cayanensis
Other: Bentevizinho-de-asa-ferrugínea (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia,Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Brazil
Similar: Social Flycatcher, Lesser Kiskadee, Great Kiskadee

The Rusty-margined Flycatcher has slight rufous edging to the wing. Often near water. Seen here near Ammo Ponds, in the canal zone of central Panama.

They look very similar to some other flycatchers, such as the Social Flycatcher, so I’m relying on the guide’s ID for these.More photos...

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission. Kinshasa, Dec 2010

Bird name: Blue Waxbill
Latin: Uraeginthus angolensis
Other: Blue-breasted Cordon Bleu • Southern Cordon-bleu
Family: Estrildidae • Cordon-bleus

Many of the African birds seem to go by several English names. This little guy is known as the Southern Cordon-bleu, or Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu, or Blue Waxbill.

Above, near a waterfall near Kinshasa, DRC. (It looks very similar to female Red-Cheeked Cordon Bleu but Blue Waxbill is the common type in Kinshasa)

Below, a Blue Waxbill, seen in the hotel grounds in Luanda Angola.

More photos...

Copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Kinshasa • December 2010

Bird name: Woodland Kingfisher
Latin: Halcyon senegalensis
Other:
Family: Alcedinidae • Kingfishers
Range: Tropical Africa
Similar:

A beautiful Woodland Kingfisher seen in the hotel grounds in Kinshasa. Identification: Black eye-stripe, red bill, lower part black, white underparts, blue back and tail, wings blue and black. Head here greyish.

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Brazzaville, December • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Rufous Tailed Palm Thrush
Latin: Cichladusa ruficauda
Other:
Family: Muscicapidae • Palm Thrushes
Range: Angola, CAR, Congo, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Namibia.

The Rufous Tailed Palm Thrush was a regular visitor to the hotel in Brazzaville.More photos...

Copyright: AT/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission. California, Dec 2010

Bird name: Western Gull
Latin: Larus occidentalis
Other:
Family: Laridae • Gulls
Range: Western coast of North America

Thanks to Alasdair for sending in this shot of a Western Gull, and a few other birds from California!

The Western Gull is a large white-headed gull, which lives on the west coast of North America.

Below, in “more photos”, a first winter Western Gull.More photos...

Copyright: AT/monacoeye • Point Reyes, December • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Brewer’s Blackbird
Latin: Euphagus cyanocephalus
Other:
Family: Icteridae • New World Blackbirds
Range: North America, some migrating to Mexico.

This is an adult male Brewer’s Blackbird, identifiable by bright yellow iris and glossy blue-indigo plumage, purplish on head. Seen here in California.

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Kinshasa, DRC, Dec 2010

Bird name: Bronze Mannikin
Latin: Lonchura cucullata
Other: Bronze Munia
Family: Estrildidae • Munias
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa

This Bronze Mannikin was seen with Weavers and Cordon-Bleus, near a waterfall near Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bronze Mannikin is the name used by the IOC, but Bronze Munia is also very common.

It has a small emerald patch on the shoulder.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Zebra Finch
Latin: Taeniopygia guttata
Other:
Family: Estrilidae • Estrildid Finches
Range: Lesser Sundas, Central Australia

The Zebra Finches pictured are zoo birds, but their natural habitat is Australia and neighbouring Indonesia. The orange cheek above indicates an adult male. Females lack the orange patch but so do some males.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Indian Silverbill
Latin: Lonchura malabarica
Other: White Throated Munia
Family: Estrilidae • Estrildid Finches
Range: India, Sri Lanka, Asia, SC Asia + S France etc.

Another introduced species, the small Indian Silverbill is common in Nice, and nests among the reeds. Quite easy to see, as it is not shy. Probably originally from escaped cagebirds.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Bengalese Finch
Latin: Lonchura striata domestica
Other: Society Finch, White-rumped Munia, White-rumped Mannikin, Striated Finch
Family: Estrildidae • Munias
Range: Domestic

This is a domestic hybrid Munia, descended from the White-rumped Munia L. striata.

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Victoria • Oct 2009

Bird name: Lesser Masked Weaver
Latin: Ploceus intermedius
Other:
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

This probable Lesser Masked Weaver was seen at Lake Victoria in Tanzania.

The IDs of these yellow weavers should probably be treated with care - there are quite a number of possibles and significant variations in breeding, non-breeding, juvenile and female plumages.

Below, in “more photos”, more examples from Congo.More photos...

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Kinshasa • Nov 2009

Bird name: Black Necked Weaver
Latin: Ploceus nigricollis
Other:
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers
Range: Tropical Africa, Angola to Tanzania

Another female Black-necked Weaver, above, here seen in Kinshasa in the Congo in December, others seen in Brazzaville. This one seems more orange than the yellower ones seen in Angola, below in “more photos”.More photos...

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Brazzaville, December

Bird name: Blue Spotted Wood Dove
Latin: Turtur afer
Other:
Family: Columbidae • Doves
Range: Africa

This Blue-Spotted Wood Dove was seen in the hotel grounds in Brazzaville. Note two blue patches on flank.More photos...

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Kinshasa • Dec 2010

Bird name: Pin Tailed Whydah
Latin: Vidua macroura
Other:
Family: Viduidae • Whydahs
Range: Tropical Africa, Angola to Tanzania

The above photo is probably a transitional Pin-Tailed Whydah, but the adult plumage is quite different. Seen in Kinshasa in the DRC.

Copyright: AT/monacoeye • Point Reyes, December • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Double Crested Cormorant
Latin: Phalacrocorax auritus
Other: Cormorán orejudo (Es)
Family: Phalacrocoracidae • Cormorants
Range: North America to Mexico

Thanks to Alasdair for sending this record shot of Double Crested Cormorants resting off Point Reyes.

Copyright: AT/monacoeye • Point Reyes, December • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Marbled Godwit
Latin: Limosa fedoa
Other: Picopando canelo (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders
Range: Canada, migrating south to USA, Mexico, South America

The Marbled Godwit is a large wader with long pinkish bill with black tip. Seen here in California.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Congo Dec 2010

Bird name: African Thrush
Latin: Turdus pelios
Other:
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa

A record shot of the African Thrush, in Brazzaville.

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Kinshasa, Dec 2010

Bird name: African Grey Parrot
Latin: Psittacus erithacus
Other:
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots
Range: West & Central Africa: Ivory Coast, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC Congo, Angola etc

This pair of African Grey Parrots were flying freely around this building in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Beautiful long-lived birds, often kept as pets, unfortunately, for their remarkable speaking abilities. The African Grey Parrot is often thought of as one of the most intelligent of birds.

Since they are normally forest birds, perhaps these two had escaped.

This subspecies is P. e. erithacus is known as the Congo African Grey Parrot. It has a bright red tail, light grey feathers, and black bill.

Near-threatened on IUCN Red List 3.1.More photos...