Collared Whitestart
Collar Warbler ( Myioborus torquatus )
The collar Warbler ( Myioborus torquatus ) is a small passerine bird in the genus Myioborus from the family of warblers ( Parulidae ). The species is endemic to Costa Rica and western Panama. The IUCN lists the bird as " not at risk " ( least concern ).
- 4.1 Literature
- 4.2 External links
Features
Appearance
Collar Warbler reach a body length of 13 centimeters and a weight average of 10.5 grams. The wing length in males from 5.7 to 6.8 inches, with the females from 6.0 to 6.6 centimeters. Adult birds have a black crown feathers with a large prominent reddish- brown crown patch. The reins, the sides of the head and the throat feathers are bright yellow. The eyes are dark. The neck is black and the sides of the neck and the top plumage is dark gray. The wings are blackish with narrow gray seams and the tail feathers blackish with extensive white outer feathers.
A salient feature is the dark gray band on neck and upper chest. The underside plumage is bright yellow and the undertail coverts are pale yellowish-white. The beak and legs are blackish. In worn plumage the feathers and the wings may appear slightly brownish.
In juvenile plumage the head and top feathers and the throat and breast feathers are dark gray. The top is brown plumage washed out. The medium and large coverts have brown hems. The rear underside plumage is pale yellowish.
Vocal and choral
The voice is a shrill " tzip ". She is more alert than when larvae Warbler ( Myioborus miniatus ), which occurs in the same distribution area.
The song is similar to the larvae - warbler, but it is bright sounding, longer and more melodic and more variable. Sometimes the vocal trills and whistles includes.
Habitat, nutrition and reproduction
Collar Warbler inhabit mossy mountain forests, preferably oak forests; further bushy ravines, forest edges and high-altitude pastures above 1500 meters up to the tree line. The populated altitude varies within Costa Rica. Add the northerly Cordillera de Tilarán it is usually above 1500 meters, east into the adjacent Cordillera Central usually above 2200 meters and south in the Cordillera de Talamanca, which extend as far to the southeast of Panama, usually above 2500 meters.
Their diet consists of insects. This they seek in pairs in all vegetation heights or catch them in flight. Often, they pounce on prey that are disturbed by other birds or sometimes follow herds of cattle in the highlands and feed on the insects that follow the cattle. In remote regions, they also sometimes feed on the insects that go to people. Therefore, also got the native name - amigo de hombre ( friend of the people ).
Often their wings downwardly and the tail is folded out. Outside the breeding season is followed by couples or family groups mixed flocks of birds.
The breeding season is from March to May The domed nest with a side entrance they lay well hidden on the ground, usually on slopes or under dead wood. As nesting material use the animals dry bamboo leaves, vegetable fibers and the brown scales of tree ferns. A clutch consists of two to three eggs. About the incubation period and fledging period has not been investigated.
Dissemination
The distribution area extends from the Cordillera de Tilarán in the north of Costa Rica to the south-east in the central west of Panama.